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Alumni Stories | December 5, 2023

In this post Neallie reflects on the importance of adaptability and empathy in professional settings. Neallie Kani shares a personal experience of reaching out to quieter team members, which led to valuable insights and built trust within the team. Kani emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, understanding team dynamics, and adapting communication styles for effective leadership. The post advocates for continuous learning in facilitation, highlighting Kani's journey with Voltage Control and the impact of facilitation skills beyond professional life. Kani concludes by echoing Priya Parker's words on the significance of how we gather, stressing the opportunity each interaction presents to shape our world.

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Facilitation Skills | December 1, 2023

The post offers insights into effective facilitation in global business settings, emphasizing the importance of clear and respectful communication when working with interpreters. It outlines three types of interpretation - simultaneous, consecutive, and whisper - each suited for specific scenarios. The article also provides eight key tips for facilitators, including preparing technology, speaking directly to participants, and considering specialized interpreters. It highlights the limitations of digital translation tools compared to the nuanced understanding offered by human interpreters.

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Collaborative Leadership | November 9, 2023

Discover the power of collaborative leadership. Learn about its definition, distinction from facilitation, and the five key benefits: enhanced decision-making, increased productivity, stronger relationships, greater innovation, and higher engagement. Understand the challenges, particularly in balancing autocratic and collaborative styles, and explore the five essential qualities of a successful collaborative leader: being purposed, inclusive, clear, crafted, and adaptive. Embrace this leadership style for a more engaged and effective workforce.

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Podcast | October 17, 2023

In the Facilitation Lab podcast, Douglas Ferguson interviews Phil Canning, head of the Human Centered Design Studio at Ally Financial. They explore Phil's path to facilitation and the pivotal role of design thinking in evolving Ally's operations. Phil highlights his workshop experiences, stressing the creation of a secure, inclusive space. The conversation delves into cross-industry learning's significance and facilitation's transformative impact. The episode ends by inspiring listeners to discover facilitation's potential in their own professional settings.

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Podcast | October 3, 2023

In the Facilitation Lab podcast, host Douglas Ferguson chats with Reshma Aziz Khan, CEO of Kenzo Consulting Limited. They delve into Reshma's nonprofit journey and her fascination with facilitation, sparked by an enlightening experience in Zimbabwe. Reshma discusses her unique workshop facilitation methods, including Whole Brain Dominance and creative seating, emphasizing connection among participants. Her transition to facilitation and the value of networking are explored. They highlight the power of silence and confidence-building through practice and learning.

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Facilitation Skills | September 7, 2023

Facilitators bring people together in beneficial collaboration, serving as a neutral party guide toward a common goal. In today’s corporate environment, many professionals are faced with calendars full of meetings, workshops, retreats, forums, retrospectives, coaching sessions, and more, each of which can be made more effective when led by a skilled facilitator. With professional facilitators in high demand, read on to learn how to become a facilitator.

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Facilitation | August 30, 2023

Our "How to Facilitate a Workshop" guide outlines key differences between workshops and regular meetings, highlighting the vital role of facilitators. It presents a structured approach including defining objectives, setting expectations, and preparing flexible plans. The guide offers techniques for engaging diverse learning styles and effective post-workshop strategies. Packed with tips, videos, and expert insights, it's a valuable resource for both novice and experienced facilitators, aiming to make workshops productive and aligned with team and organizational goals.

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Podcast | August 29, 2023

In this podcast, Douglas Ferguson chats with Eli Wood about facilitation's crucial role in interdisciplinary teams and product development. They explore how facilitation extends beyond design sprints, aiding any collaborative scenario. Key topics include facilitation's impact in product management, where balancing varied requirements and perspectives is essential.

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Facilitation Skills | August 15, 2023

In our latest article, we explore the evolving landscape of online facilitation tools and the dynamic shifts in corporate culture. We offer current best practices and practical tips for effective online facilitation, focusing on preparation and implementation techniques. This guide is essential for enhancing your virtual meetings and workshops, ensuring productive and engaging online interactions.

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Alumni Stories | July 24, 2023

Phil Canning details his transformative journey from moving to North Carolina to becoming an "Innovation Manager" at Ally Financial. Initially uncertain, Phil found direction after being introduced to human-centered design principles from Stanford's d.school. This approach led to the creation of Ally's acclaimed savings tools, Buckets and Boosters. To spread this innovative mindset, Phil trained with Voltage Control’s Facilitation Certification program, enhancing his skills and expanding his network. Now, as a key facilitator at Ally, Phil drives innovation across teams, highlighting the profound impact of effective collaboration and his personal and professional growth through his experiences.