Have you ever set up a breakout room and only half the people went there? They didn’t ‘move’ because they were no longer at their desk. But how could you know: their webcam was OFF! Have you ever found yourself begging, even pleading, for individuals in a Zoom meeting...
Bringing a Visual to Life
How do you turn a concept into a useful visual to teach and reinforce that concept over time?How do you take that visual off the page so that people can interact and learn from it? Here's a story to illustrate how you might do just that. We hope it inspires you with...
Talking Circles: More than a Technique
Talking circles, also known as sharing circles, have long been used by Indigenous peoples in Canada, the US, and around the world. They are used to ensure each individual who has gathered in a place has a voice and is fully heard.
Teaching in Closed Societies
I work in a closed society. My colleagues do as well. In fact, we are all from the country in which we work and are passionate about what we do.
What to Do When Life Happens: A Facilitator’s Challenge
I intentionally design to maximize learning. I conduct a needs assessment, asking select questions of participants and stakeholders, studying websites and key documents, and observing events and meetings of the client and small groups. I check my assumptions and work...
Embodied Design and Facilitation
Have you participated in a meeting or event lately where, instead of starting with an overview of the agenda, you started by taking breaths together? If you haven’t yet, you might soon.
I Like, I Wish, I Wonder – A Technique
For many of us, wondering aloud can take tremendous courage. This is especially true if it is not invited. The technique “I like, I wish, I wonder” offers a multi-layered process for hearing and collecting input or reflections that are nuanced, fresh, and exciting.
Speed Dating – A Technique
A well-selected technique can deepen dialogue, increase engagement, generate meaningful ideas, and make work easier. Speed dating is one I love using.
Own the Space: Tips for In-Person Room Setup
Download the Tip Sheet Just as many of us got used to meeting and facilitating sessions online, we are back in-person. You may be asking yourself: Do I still remember how to do that well? What have I learned in this virtual space that can be applied to the in-person...
Inviting in the Magic: When Learning Goes Beyond the Expected
Years ago, I received an email from a course participant thanking me for the transformative experience. It turns out she wasn’t thanking me for the learning (although she assured me that too was profound); she wanted to share that the experience had helped her become...