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.
Podcast
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Discover the innovative insights from Liya James's session "Navigating the Inner Narratives: Enhancing Relational Dynamics" at the 2024 Facilitation Lab Summit. Delve into the transformative power of understanding and directing our inner voices to foster deeper empathy and effective communication. Liya's engaging workshop combined theoretical insights with practical exercises, offering participants a unique opportunity to explore their internal dialogues and their impact on interpersonal and professional relationships. Through interactive activities, role-playing, and reflective discussions, attendees gained valuable tools for personal growth and enhanced team collaboration. Learn how to harness your inner narratives for better relational attunement and discover the key to more impactful leadership and creativity in our comprehensive blog post.
In this episode, Douglas Ferguson and JJ Rogers delve into the nuances of crafting engaging, delightful, and efficient meetings and workshops. They explore JJ's journey in product design and facilitation, emphasizing the importance of joy and surprise in creating delightful experiences. The discussion highlights strategies for engaging participants, especially in virtual settings, by introducing novel experiences and emphasizing user feedback.
Host Douglas Ferguson interviews Dr. Rebecca Sutherns, a 27-year facilitation veteran and author of "Elastic Stretch Without Snapping or Snapping Back." She discusses her initial discomfort with group work, its impact on her career, and the significance of effective group processes. The episode covers group dynamics across life stages and how structured interactions improve efficiency and minimize awkwardness.