In this episode of the Facilitation Lab podcast, host Douglas Ferguson converses with Caterina Rodriguez (Cat), a facilitator consultant and strategic leader at ADL. Cat shares her journey from anti-bias education to organizational effectiveness, emphasizing the importance of authentic connections in facilitation. She discusses the challenges of adopting a new facilitation style and highlights the transformative power of collaborative group experiences. Kat stresses the need for facilitators to embrace uncertainty and model genuine engagement, advocating for a method-agnostic approach. The episode underscores the value of building trust and fostering inclusive, change-ready cultures within organizations.
Facilitation
At SXSW, Voltage Control explored the intersection of human connection and AI. Through our meetup and workshop, we created spaces for meaningful interactions, tackled loneliness and vulnerability, reimagined meetings, and highlighted the potential of AI as a dynamic team player. Learn how intentional facilitation can drive innovation, transform team dynamics, and foster genuine connections. Explore these insights and more from our SXSW experiences in this blog post.
In this episode of the Facilitation Lab podcast, host Douglas Ferguson converses with Dr. Karyn Edwards, an organizational psychologist and executive coach. Dr. Edwards shares her journey into facilitation and leadership, starting at Carlson Wagonlit Travel. She highlights the influence of her mentor, Julianne Weiss, and discusses overcoming imposter syndrome and challenges in leadership roles. The episode delves into the importance of "power skills" like emotional intelligence and adaptability. Dr. Edwards also talks about her current work, including writing for the Association for Training and Development and exploring organizational culture change programs. The episode underscores the transformative power of coaching.
Emilia Astrom shares her transformative journey from advertising to facilitation, discovering her passion at Hyper Island. With over a decade of experience, she leveraged design thinking and facilitation to guide organizations through the digital transformation. Her career highlights include joining Mural and supporting innovation, as well as completing the Voltage Control facilitation certification program. Emilia now designs workshops for senior leaders and works to create human-centered, collaborative work environments. Discover how facilitation changed her career and empowered her to lead meaningful change.
Discover how Lori Boozer, a former government attorney turned nonprofit leader, transformed her approach to leadership through facilitation. Learn how embracing co-creation and collaboration helped her champion systemic change and foster inclusive, impactful conversations. This journey highlights the power of facilitation in addressing complex social issues like economic mobility and health equity.
In this episode of the Facilitation Lab podcast, host Douglas Ferguson converses with Alyssa Coughlin, Chief of Staff Director for the Data and AI Platform Organization at Autodesk. Alyssa shares her journey into facilitation and leadership, emphasizing the importance of patience, active listening, and storytelling in effective facilitation. She discusses leading through influence rather than positional power, empowering team members, and creating a collaborative environment. Alyssa also highlights techniques for engaging quieter participants and the significance of addressing underlying tensions in group dynamics. The episode concludes with a focus on fostering a culture of collaboration and empowerment.
Explore the top 10 coaching certifications, including the benefits of combining coaching with facilitation skills. Discover how programs like ICF, iPEC, and Voltage Control’s Facilitation Certification can enhance your practice, equip you to lead group dynamics, and help you drive collective breakthroughs. Whether you're just starting or expanding your coaching expertise, these certifications will refine your skills, boost credibility, and prepare you to meet the evolving needs of leaders and teams in today's fast-paced world.
In this episode of the Facilitation Lab podcast, host Douglas Ferguson interviews Dan Walker from Collective Imagination Consulting. They discuss Dan's journey from the legal field to the outdoor industry, driven by his deep curiosity and evolving understanding of justice. Dan shares how his formative experiences shaped his perspectives and how he now helps organizations create pathways toward a more just and joyful society. The conversation highlights the importance of curiosity in both personal and professional contexts, the complexities of justice, and the pivotal role businesses can play in fostering social change. The episode emphasizes a method-agnostic approach to facilitation.
Ralitsa Dimitrova’s journey in "Finding My Path" reveals how a passion for learning evolved into a career in facilitation. From her early days at Accenture to leading innovative sessions at KPMG, she shares how the Voltage Control certification transformed her approach—merging diverse methodologies, digital innovation, and collaborative leadership to drive impactful change. Discover how effective facilitation can empower teams, spark creativity, and build lasting communities.
Discover how facilitation transformed Sophia Zaia’s approach to leadership in her inspiring journey from organizing to professional development. Starting with a simple meeting in college, Sophia shares how facilitation became the cornerstone of her leadership style, enabling her to design impactful sessions, foster collaboration, and empower others. Through her experience at Voltage Control, she honed essential tools and practices, unlocking new ways to create meaningful change. Learn how facilitation can elevate leadership, collaboration, and decision-making.