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Next Cohort Deadline June 13th Apply Today
Next Cohort Deadline June 13th Apply Today
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Facilitation Skills | June 21, 2024

Facilitation skills are vital for guiding groups, fostering collaboration, and achieving goals. This article highlights the importance of developing these skills through mentoring, coaching, and experiential learning. Mentoring provides valuable guidance, builds professional networks, and enhances institutional knowledge. Coaching focuses on specific skill development with goal setting, practice, and feedback loops. Experiential learning involves applying facilitation skills in real-world settings, encouraging reflection, and active participation. By integrating these methods, facilitators can improve communication, manage dynamics, and ensure productive meetings, leading to overall organizational success.

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At this year's Facilitation Lab Summit, Erin Warner led a captivating workshop titled "Daring Dialogues: Refining Ideas and Embracing Bold Action." Erin, known for her unique blend of movement and facilitation techniques, encouraged participants to engage physically and mentally throughout the session. The workshop began with a lively introduction, where Erin emphasized the importance of community, movement, and holistic well-being. She shared her journey of integrating diverse experiences into her facilitation practice, highlighting the power of books like "The Art of Gathering" by Priya Parker and "The Joy of Movement."

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Podcast | June 14, 2024

In this episode of the Facilitation Lab podcast, host Douglas Ferguson speaks with Julie Baeb, a Senior Consultant at Team Works. Julie shares her diverse career journey from advertising to architecture and eventually education, where she developed a STEM enrichment program. They discuss pivotal moments in Julie's facilitation career, including a transformative professional development session and a human-centered design retreat she led for school administrators. Julie emphasizes the importance of icebreakers, observation, and incorporating play and movement into sessions to foster engagement and psychological safety. The episode highlights Julie's commitment to building strong, connected teams through thoughtful facilitation.

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At the Facilitation Lab Summit, Solomon Masala's workshop, "Using Art and Conversation for Convergence," captivated participants with hands-on activities designed to enhance teamwork and communication. The session began with an engaging boomwhacker drumming exercise, setting a rhythmic tone for the day. Solomon emphasized aligning activities with workshop objectives, blending didactic and kinesthetic learning. Key exercises included a team organization challenge and a collaborative star-drawing task, highlighting trust and coordination. The workshop concluded with a creative tableau exercise, fostering innovative thinking and deep reflection. Attendees left inspired to integrate these dynamic methods into their facilitation practices.

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Collaborative leadership is key to navigating rapid change, fostering innovation, engagement, and shared decision-making. Measuring its success involves setting clear goals and metrics aligned with organizational strategies. Utilize frameworks like SMART goals or OKRs to define targets. Key metrics include decision-making speed, employee engagement, and idea diversity. Monitor progress with surveys, interviews, observations, and performance metrics. Assess collaboration health by examining trust, communication, and conflict management. Celebrate achievements to sustain morale and foster continuous learning. By adopting these strategies, organizations can enhance collaborative leadership's impact and navigate uncertainty with agility and resilience.

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Podcast | May 22, 2024

In this episode of the Facilitation Lab podcast, Douglas Ferguson talks with Jim Kalbach, Chief Evangelist at MURAL and author, about his facilitation journey and expertise in mapping. Jim shares a pivotal experience leading a workshop at LexisNexis and how it propelled his career. He discusses the influence of room setup on collaboration, the power of visual maps for team alignment, and his interest in Wardley maps. Jim also reflects on the evolution of facilitation with technology, the shift to remote workshops, and the future of facilitation as a widespread skill. The episode emphasizes the transformative role of facilitation and visual tools in improving group collaboration.

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Susan Wilson Golab's workshop at the Facilitation Lab Summit, "Narrative Transport: Discovering Identity Through Storytelling," was a profound exploration of identity through personal stories. Susan, an experienced educator, led participants through reflective exercises, including writing "Where I'm From" poems and engaging in constructivist listening. The session emphasized deep listening and empathy, fostering trust among attendees. Participants created character profiles of military families, guided by real-life stories and the "Think, Feel, Care" framework from Harvard's Project Zero. This transformative workshop highlighted the power of storytelling in personal and communal growth, leaving a lasting impact on all participants.

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Podcast | May 10, 2024

In this podcast episode, Douglas Ferguson hosts Neallie Kani, a UX Specialist from Hogan Assessments, who shares her facilitation journey and the impact of leadership classes on her career. She discusses the importance of creating a comfortable environment for teams, inspired by Erik Skogsberg's calming facilitation approach. Neallie applies techniques like icebreakers and working agreements to enhance her meetings, emphasizing trial and error and monthly check-ins for continuous improvement. She uses visual aids like PowerPoint to align her team and stresses the significance of consistent reminders of team values.

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Explore the unique workshop "What's In The Soil?" led by Ozay Moore at the Facilitation Lab Summit. This session combined hip-hop culture with practical facilitation techniques, engaging participants in a dynamic exploration of community resources. Attendees participated in exercises mapping cultural assets and discussed the impact of local environments on community development. Ozay's innovative approach, using music to foster connection and creativity, made this workshop a highlight of the summit, offering fresh perspectives on community engagement and resource mapping.

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Podcast | April 23, 2024

In this episode of the Facilitation Lab podcast, Douglas Ferguson converses with Susan Wilson Go Lab about her evolution from a K-12 district administrator to an expert in educational leadership and facilitation. Susan delves into her career progression, the significance of adapting to different organizational cultures, and the patience needed for effective change facilitation. Her reflections offer valuable insights into the world of professional learning and the art of facilitation.