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Podcast | August 20, 2024

In this episode of the Facilitation Lab podcast, host Douglas Ferguson converses with Nathan Hughes, COO and co-founder of Detroit Labs. Nathan shares his journey from a technology-focused career to embracing facilitation and leadership. He discusses the pivotal role of facilitation in managing teams, especially during crises like the pandemic. Nathan highlights the importance of practice in low-stakes environments to build facilitation skills and emphasizes the need for trust and connection within teams. He also offers advice for technology leaders transitioning into management, stressing the value of redefining success and maintaining personal creative outlets.

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Facilitation | July 23, 2024

In professional development, the principles of practice and feedback are vital. Much like athletes and musicians refine their skills through rehearsal and critique, professionals must engage in deliberate practice and seek feedback to master their craft. This blog post explores these elements, providing insights and strategies to foster growth and success in the workplace. Facilitators, in particular, need ongoing practice and feedback to enhance their skills. Structured practice opportunities and feedback loops help identify strengths and areas for improvement. Embracing a growth mindset is essential, as it encourages seeking feedback and viewing challenges as learning opportunities. In professional settings, practice often gets neglected, overshadowed by the expectation to perform flawlessly. To foster growth, professionals need environments where they can safely practice and receive feedback, similar to athletes rehearsing before a performance.

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The Facilitation Lab Summit 2024 was an extraordinary event filled with insightful sessions and meaningful connections. Held on February 6th and 7th, this annual summit featured a diverse range of speakers who shared their expertise and experiences under the theme of COMMUNITY, emphasizing the importance of community in learning and growth. The summit provided an invaluable opportunity for facilitators to learn, connect, and grow. We were privileged to hear from a diverse group of speakers who shared their experiences, insights, and strategies for facilitating impactful meetings and events. From mastering internal dialogues to building consensus among multiple stakeholders, each session offered practical tools and techniques that facilitators can apply in their work.

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Facilitation Skills | July 17, 2024

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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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

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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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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Alumni Stories | June 7, 2024

Nate Hughes, a technology executive, discovered the transformative power of facilitation through his evolving leadership role at Detroit Labs. Initially subtle, his facilitation skills became essential as he transitioned from individual contributor to engineering leader. Recognizing the need for structured development, Hughes pursued formal training, including systems like Crucial Conversations™ and Getting Things Done™. His journey led him to Voltage Control’s certification program, profoundly shifting his approach to leadership and collaboration. Embracing facilitation unlocked his team's potential, fostering innovation and empowerment. Hughes now champions facilitation, aiming to drive meaningful change within his organization and beyond.

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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.