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Facilitation Skills | July 17, 2024

A Quiet Place: Embracing Silence

Discover the transformative power of silence in facilitation with our latest blog post, "A Quiet Place: Embracing Silence." Inspired by the film series A Quiet Place, we explore the profound impact of intentional silence on team dynamics and psychological safety. Silence isn't just the absence of sound; it's a powerful tool for contemplation, inclusivity, and creativity. Learn how facilitators can use silence to enhance meeting effectiveness, support neurodivergent participants, and accommodate cultural differences.

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Facilitation | July 10, 2024

How to Regain Attention After Breakouts

Struggling to regain attention after breakout sessions? In this blog post, discover effective techniques from both professional facilitators and kindergarten teachers. Learn why managing attention transitions is essential for productive workshops and explore methods such as hand signals, sound cues, and call-and-response phrases. Incorporate visual signals, countdowns, interactive engagement, and movement-based techniques to maintain focus. Draw inspiration from kindergarten techniques like songs, rhymes, and “magic words.” Choose the right method for your style, introduce it early, and ensure consistency. Enhance your facilitation skills and keep your sessions running smoothly with these practical strategies.

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Communication Strategies | July 8, 2024

Effective Communication Strategies for Facilitators

Effective communication is crucial for successful facilitation, whether leading workshops, team meetings, or community groups. This article explores strategies to enhance communication skills and foster an inclusive, engaging environment. Key strategies include active listening—focusing on the speaker, reflecting, and showing empathy; clear and concise messaging—using simple language, staying on topic, and employing visual aids; encouraging open dialogue—asking open-ended questions, creating a safe space, and valuing all contributions; and utilizing non-verbal communication—maintaining eye contact, using gestures, and adopting an open posture.

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Facilitation Lab Summit | July 5, 2024

Facilitating Change by Mapping Systems

At this year's Facilitation Lab Summit, Erik Skogsberg and Dirk Van Onsem delivered a thought-provoking workshop titled "Facilitating Change Through Systems Mapping." The session was designed to help participants understand and leverage the power of systems thinking to drive change within their organizations.

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Facilitation | July 1, 2024

The Unseen Role of Facilitators

Facilitators play a crucial yet often unseen role in team dynamics. This blog post explores the vital impact facilitators have on team health, productivity, and growth. Comparing the effect of a facilitator to the temperature of a room, it highlights the balance facilitators must strike between guiding discussions and remaining unobtrusive. The post references Priya Parker's views on hosting and emphasizes "invisible involvement" in facilitation. Insights from Voltage Control alumni underscore the long-term benefits of skilled facilitation in fostering innovation and empathy. Learn practical techniques to refine your facilitation skills and create environments where ideas flourish.

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Facilitation Skills | June 21, 2024

Developing Facilitation Skills Through Mentoring, Coaching, and Experiential Learning

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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Facilitation Lab Summit | June 18, 2024

Daring Dialogues: Refining Ideas and Embracing Bold Action

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

How Observation and Play Enhance Your Facilitation Style

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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Facilitation Lab Summit | May 31, 2024

Using Art and Conversation for Convergence

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 | May 31, 2024

Collaborative Leadership: Measuring Success and Navigating Change

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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