workshops work

As facilitators, change is our business, our livelihood, our North Star.Eugenio Moliní has spent his life thinking about change. He’s chased it, avoided it, and now he is accepting it. Perhaps more accurately, he has found that it is only by accepting our truths that we can truly find change.As you might expect from someone with such depth of thought and consideration for the process of change, Eugenio is fascinating to speak with and listen to.His thoughts on self-acceptance, anxiety, and conflict are astonishing and gave me great cause for reflection. I hope they will do the same for you too.In this episode, find out about:What helped Eugenio decide to work as an external change agent, rather than an internal oneWhat Eugenio has learned about facilitation from the most unexpected sourcesHow we can identify anxiety and hold it in our shared spacesWhy solving conflicts isn’t often necessary or helpfulWhy self-acceptance is the root of all changeClick here to download the free 1-page summaryDon’t miss the next show: Subscribe to the show with your favourite podcast player.Feeling inspired by the conversation in this episode? We can have our own - take a seat at my virtual table as part of a Mastermind Group.A huge thank you must go to SessionLab, the sponsor of Workshops Work. Claim your free two months of SessionLab Pro now – this deal is exclusive to Workshops Work listeners!Questions and Answers[01:44] When did you start to call yourself a facilitator?[02:55] What changed that meant you began to receive payment for your services?[04:47] Can you talk about your background in conflict resolution?[07:53] How does inner peace impact your practice as a changemaker?[10:23] What can we learn from silence that we cannot learn from words?[10:52] Do you use silence in your sessions?[15:22] Can you explain “the only science you believe in is your own experience” further?[20:06] How do you define neutrality and how that can work in situations of conflict?[22:12] What happened that made you take the decision to not work with conflict?[25:54] Can you explain the paradox of change, and why it is you only believe in change that comes from within the company?[31:02] What changes when you get the room to state the truth and accept themselves?[36:04] Can you share an example of working with an organisation in which people want change but not the company?[39:39] Would you have done anything differently in that difficult situation?[40:27] How did the ‘oak table’ story end?[43:20] What makes a workshop fail?[49:51] If somebody fell asleep just after starting this episode and has just woken up, what is the one thing you would like them to take away?Links to checkShare your thoughts about our conversation!Support the show✨✨✨Subscribe to our newsletter to receive a free 1-page summary of each upcoming episode directly to your inbox, or explore our eBooks featuring 50-episode compilations for even more facilitation insights. Find out more:https://workshops.work/podcast✨✨✨Did you know? You can search all episodes by keyword to find exactly what you need via our Buzzsprout page!

 As facilitators, we are used to holding physical and mental space for groups – but what changes when we do this virtually and how can we facilitate effective collaboration in digital spaces?The Virtual Collaboration Campus is a community of 35 facilitators who are coming together (virtually, of course!) to discuss and teach the ways we can effectively organise and conduct virtual meetings and work.Storytelling, collaborating, space sharing, understanding, and listening remain the same in virtual spaces, but they can take on different forms, require different approaches, and have their own idiosyncrasies.In preparation for the Virtual Collaboration Campus, some of the contributors join me on Workshops Work to discuss their thoughts on virtual collaboration.In this episode, hear Yannis Angelis, Tanja Murphy-Ilibasic, Tina Meckel-Wille, and Mary Alice discuss their specialisms and get a taste of the content that will be delivered in the Virtual Collaboration Campus.Click here to download the free 1-page summaryDon’t miss the next show: Subscribe to the show with your favourite podcast player.Feeling inspired by the conversation in this episode? We can have our own - take a seat at my virtual table as part of a Mastermind Group.A huge thank you must go to SessionLab, the sponsor of Workshops Work. Claim your free two months of SessionLab Pro now – this deal is exclusive to Workshops Work listeners!Questions and Answers[01:53] What has Tanja Murphy-Ilibasic learned from being a translator that she can apply to her work as a facilitator?[02:49] How does Tanja apply Conversational Intelligence to a workshop space?[08:43] Does Tanya have a favourite exercise to help a group understand the power of words?[12:01] Why does Tina Meckel-Wille feel we undervalue virtual collaboration?[13:27] What does Tina believe makes a good virtual conversation?[16:14] How does Tina create a safe space where vulnerable, deep, and intimate conversation can take place through a screen?[24:08] Does Tina have a favourite exercise to conduct in virtual workshops?[25:26] What does Tina believe makes a virtual workshop fail?[29:47] How does Mary Alice Arthur believe we can bring the mentality of the Art of Hosting and the campfire conversation into the virtual world?[35:59] How does Mary Alice believe we can control the physical space or use physical communication in the virtual space?[39:32] When did Yannis Angelis start calling himself a facilitator?[42:26] What did Yannis learn from being a mediator that he can apply to being a facilitator?[43:17] How would Yannis translate the stage in a virtual space?[44:28] How does Yannis use storytelling to guide the group?[46:47] How does Yannis use storytelling to make workshops work?[48:34] How does Yannis think we can become better story-lisShare your thoughts about our conversation!Support the show✨✨✨Subscribe to our newsletter to receive a free 1-page summary of each upcoming episode directly to your inbox, or explore our eBooks featuring 50-episode compilations for even more facilitation insights. Find out more:https://workshops.work/podcast✨✨✨Did you know? You can search all episodes by keyword to find exactly what you need via our Buzzsprout page!

Heleen Kuiper is an expert in the practice of holacracy – a system for shifting organisations and teams towards self-management, helping them to focus on purpose, responsibilities, and getting work done. So, who better to talk to about holacracy than Heleen herself?It is a fascinating take on facilitation and there are lessons every facilitator can learn from it, regardless of whether they entirely agree with it. In this episode, we discuss:How personal development and organisational development are connectedHow to create team spirit in holacratic systemsWhat the differences are between holacratic and traditional facilitationClick here to download the free 1-page summaryDon’t miss the next show: Subscribe to the show with your favourite podcast player.A huge thank you must go to SessionLab, the sponsor of Workshops Work. Claim your free two months of SessionLab Pro now – this deal is exclusive to Workshops Work listeners!Questions and Answers[01:36] What led you to facilitation and holacracy?[02:24] Would you call yourself a facilitator?[03:21] What are the key things you teach people how to facilitate meetings?[08:05] What is holacracy and what does a meeting look like in a holacratic structure?[10:25] How do employees in managerial roles react in holacratic meetings?[13:34] What does an organisation need to commit to in order to work with you?[17:39] How do employees in managerial roles react if you are helping an organisation move from a hierarchical to a holacratic structure?[21:48] How do you create warmth and a safe space in a holacratic system?[26:53] How do you handle trust issues in holacratic meetings?[29:28] If an employee raised that they felt overworked, how would this be addressed?[33:43] Does holacracy find its way into your personal life?[37:17] How do you balance the art of hosting with holacracy?[38:37] What is your favourite exercise or practice?[40:28] How do check-ins and holacracy work together?[43:14] What makes a workshop fail?[45:00] What do you do if a client has told you their expectations, but the group does not want to work to achieve it?[50:13] If a listener fell asleep at the start of this episode and has just awoken, what is one thing you would like them to takeaway?Links to CheckHolacracy Tactical Meeting Structure (pdf)Deep DemocracyEmpowerment Dynamic vs Drama Triangle: powerofted.comArt of Hosting Share your thoughts about our conversation!Support the show✨✨✨Subscribe to our newsletter to receive a free 1-page summary of each upcoming episode directly to your inbox, or explore our eBooks featuring 50-episode compilations for even more facilitation insights. Find out more:https://workshops.work/podcast✨✨✨Did you know? You can search all episodes by keyword to find exactly what you need via our Buzzsprout page!

There is a fascinating intersection between Agile and facilitation.With experience of integrating Agile into both marketing and HR teams, Eoin Cannon has a unique perspective on why certain approaches prove fruitful and others fall short.In this episode of Workshops Work, Eoin shares how Agile can help to shape smarter, more effective teams in any department to be better equipped to overcome problems.There are dozens of points that Eoin picks out that hold huge value, so if you want to learn about the application of Agile in workshops (and vice versa), advice for how you might apply those principles in your workshops, and deeper interrogations of what Agile, HR, and facilitation really mean – this is the episode for you!In this episode, we discuss:Eoin’s move from marketing to HR by way of facilitationWhy it can be so impactful to make leaders co-facilitatorsHow behavioural change creates cultural changeWhat HR really meansAdvice for first-time experience mappingAn explanation of the Agile HR processClick here to download the free 1-page summaryDon’t miss the next show: Subscribe to the show with your favourite podcast player.A huge thank you must go to SessionLab, the sponsor of Workshops Work. Claim your free two months of SessionLab Pro now – this deal is exclusive to Workshops Work listeners!Questions and Answers[01:15] When did you start calling yourself a facilitator?[03:08] What is the difference between a workshop in marketing and a workshop in HR?[05:25] How do you get marketing teams to open up and participate more in a sharing culture?[10:00] What does Agile HR mean?[11:58] Can you share an example of how Agile works with, not against, human behaviour and psychology?[14:11] What got you into Agile HR and how do you apply it?[17:22] How would you start a project and workshop for the topic of changing or removing a company’s bonus system?[22:46] How do you facilitate ‘downloading’ in a workshop whilst preserving the participants’ own opinions and contributions?[25:48] Would you let participants design personas?[29:21] How do participants differentiate between Agile vs. non-Agile coaching and training?[32:28] How does an Agile HR professional operate differently to a non-Agile one?[34:27] When do you think the mindset shift from non-Agile to Agile occurs?[35:51] What is your favourite exercise?[43:15] What makes a workshop fail?[49:32] Is there anything else you would like to discuss?[50:06] What does the term ‘agile facilitation’ mean to you?[52:29] What is the one thing you would like listeners to take away from this episode?Links to CheckEpisode 50 of Workshops WorkAgile ManifestoAgile origins: Share your thoughts about our conversation!Support the show✨✨✨Subscribe to our newsletter to receive a free 1-page summary of each upcoming episode directly to your inbox, or explore our eBooks featuring 50-episode compilations for even more facilitation insights. Find out more:https://workshops.work/podcast✨✨✨Did you know? You can search all episodes by keyword to find exactly what you need via our Buzzsprout page!

50 episodes of Workshops Work – wow! What a joy every episode has been. Thank you for joining me on this journey – whether this is your first or fiftieth time listening.To mark this milestone, I brought together ten Workshops Work alumni for a fishbowl discussion about facilitation.We covered a range of topics in such detail, it’s a struggle to summarise it in these show notes. If you are interested in hearing what a room of facilitators has to say about the complexities, joys, and novelties of our profession, I am very happy to present to you this episode.Thank you again for helping me on my journey to 50 episodes. Here’s to the next milestone…In this episode, we discuss:The different roles in workshopsWhy it’s so important to give participants and their discussions spaceWhether neutrality should be the facilitator’s goal – and whether it is even possibleHow best to tease out conflict in a safe and healthy mannerOur experiences of our discussion – from excitement to discomfortClick here to download the free 1-page summaryDon’t miss the next show: Subscribe to the show with your favourite podcast player.Feeling inspired by the conversation in this episode? We can have our own - take a seat at my virtual table as part of a Mastermind Group.A huge thank you must go to SessionLab, the sponsor of Workshops Work. Claim your free two months of SessionLab Pro now – this deal is exclusive to Workshops Work listeners!Questions and Answers [03:23] How do you ensure everyone in the room has the same understanding? Do you do so before or during a workshop? [08:08] How do you make sure everyone has a role? [11:51] What is your experience of wanting to act as a facilitator but knowing that you should not? [13:10] How do you deal with having assumptions about participants? [14:41] Neutrality and conflict [21:52] How do you make space for people in a fair and balanced way? [25:39] Neutrality, readiness, and being present [30:51] Reflecting on the experience of the fishbowl [40:54] What brings you the most joy from the transformation in the room of your workshops? [41:56] Coming back to discomfort [49:21] What do you do to limit yourself and avoid taking too much space when speaking? [51:54] Do you have any short lines you use to transfer power in the room? [53:11] Checking in on the participant’s experiences of the discussionLinks to Check007 – Mindset Management – with Jeremy Akers011 – How to design brainstorming sessions for huge groups – with Frans Scheepens020 – Create experiences for your audience to achieve results – with Rein SevensternShare your thoughts about our conversation!Support the show✨✨✨Subscribe to our newsletter to receive a free 1-page summary of each upcoming episode directly to your inbox, or explore our eBooks featuring 50-episode compilations for even more facilitation insights. Find out more:https://workshops.work/podcast✨✨✨Did you know? You can search all episodes by keyword to find exactly what you need via our Buzzsprout page!

Can an object – a passive actor – be considered a facilitator?That’s what Sunny BenBelkacem and I came to agree in this episode of Workshops Work. As a graphic recorder and communication artist, Sunny brings workshops to life by visualising the discussions that take place.The work produced by a graphic recorder can become a facilitator in itself – sparking discussion, pulling at threads, and creating meaningful connection and change.Sunny has been helping facilitators to capture their workshops in visual form for over 20 years and, as you might expect, has some amazing ideas to share about the ways facilitators and graphic recorders can work together.If you’re curious to know more about graphic recorders, Sunny’s experience of facilitation, or would just like to listen to an engaging and enthusiastic speaker, you will surely enjoy this episode.You can hear Sunny discuss:Why you might want a graphic recorder in your workshopsHow graphic recorders and facilitators work togetherHow she translates buzzwords and jargon into something of depthWhether the skills required to be a graphic recorder can be taught or are innateWhat changes in a room when you have your back to its occupantsHow imagery differs between culturesClick here to download the free 1-page summaryDon’t miss the next show: Subscribe to the show with your favourite podcast player.A huge thank you must go to SessionLab, the sponsor of Workshops Work. Claim your free two months of SessionLab Pro now – this deal is exclusive to Workshops Work listeners!Questions and Answers [01:29] How did you get into visual facilitation? [03:49] How was it to realise that a hobby and interest of yours was actually a profession? [04:59] Why would a client pay for a graphic recorder? [09:08] How can facilitators and graphic recorders help each other? [12:05] How do you translate buzzwords into something of depth? [14:23] Can you learn to be a graphic recorder or is it a natural talent? [20:33] As you draw with your back to the room, do you hear hierarchies and patterns emerging in groups? [22:07] Do you communicate with the facilitator if you feel something important has gone unexplored? [23:54] How do you balance creating an honest representation of the discussion with creating something the clients will be happy to see? [27:34] Is there a difference between the way you visualise things in different cultural settings? [32:46] Who is the ‘third facilitator’? [36:28] Does the chart/drawing take on ‘afterlife’ once the facilitator(s) has left the room? [40:30] What makes a workshop fail and can you see a workshop’s success (or failure) in a visualisation? [46:18] Are you ever asked to add anything after the workshop is finished? [47:36] What is your favourite facilitation exercise? [53:31] Is there anything elsShare your thoughts about our conversation!Support the show✨✨✨Subscribe to our newsletter to receive a free 1-page summary of each upcoming episode directly to your inbox, or explore our eBooks featuring 50-episode compilations for even more facilitation insights. Find out more:https://workshops.work/podcast✨✨✨Did you know? You can search all episodes by keyword to find exactly what you need via our Buzzsprout page!

No two facilitators are the same in the way they run their workshops – or in who they are outside of being a facilitator. For Markus Püttmann, the interplay of his other interests and skills have helped to develop an effective and unique approach to workshops.What if you used your skills and interests to create a better workshop experience for your participants?That’s what Markus has achieved by integrating photography and facilitation.His fascinating approach to workshop facilitation has inspired me to analyse where I could introduce unique elements of myself into my workshops in a way that is non-intrusive and organic to the process we are working through.If you would like to explore how you might introduce your skills and interests to your workshops or are simply interested to learn how Markus integrates photography and facilitation in his, this episode will leave you with lots to reflect on.Markus shares his thoughts on:How photography and facilitation are both tied to the art of translationHow to combine photography and facilitation in workshopsWhat he does to help his groups relinquish control and tensionWhen and why he will change his plans according to each groupThe things photography and facilitation have in commonHow photography shows us things and helps us tell stories we cannot articulateClick here to download the free 1-page summaryDon’t miss the next show: Subscribe to the show with your favourite podcast player.A huge thank you must go to SessionLab, the sponsor of Workshops Work. Claim your free two months of SessionLab Pro now – this deal is exclusive to Workshops Work listeners!Questions and Answers[01:30] When did you start calling yourself a facilitator?[03:47] How do you see the role of a facilitator stopping projects from failing?[05:06] How do you understand the role of photography in facilitation?[08:43] What is the role of photography in your workshops?[11:09] Do you use photography before, during, or after the workshop?[13:21] What are the pros and cons of using photography in workshops?[15:24] Is there a difference between using photography and other visual prompts (like image cards, abstract art, emoticons)?[16:28] What is an example of a question you would ask along with using a picture?[18:03] How do you know when to change your approach when you meet a group?[20:07] How do you help a group become more relaxed and open-minded?[23:30] What have you learned about facilitation through being a photographer?[29:17] What have you learned about photography through being a facilitator?[31:35] If you had a hashtag, what would it be?[32:59] Do you ever interview or survey your participants before a workshop?[36:55] What is your favourite exercise?[39:01] Have you ever asked participants to bring their own photographs to the workShare your thoughts about our conversation!Support the show✨✨✨Subscribe to our newsletter to receive a free 1-page summary of each upcoming episode directly to your inbox, or explore our eBooks featuring 50-episode compilations for even more facilitation insights. Find out more:https://workshops.work/podcast✨✨✨Did you know? You can search all episodes by keyword to find exactly what you need via our Buzzsprout page!

What does it really mean to have a successful workshop, meeting, or event?The answer lies with the end result. What do people gain when they attend your workshop or event? Do they walk away with a tangible output (e.g. plans or decisions)? Or, do they leave with an outcome (e.g. a feeling or vision) instead? Tim Ferguson is the CEO of Audience, a creative and strategic agency specialising in live meetings and internal communications. Tim joins me on this episode of the podcast to talk about outcomes and outputs in more detail. We discuss the importance of understanding your audience, knowing our boundaries as facilitators, setting priorities, and so much more.Click here to download the free 1-page summaryDon’t miss the next show: Subscribe to the show with your favourite podcast player.Feeling inspired by the conversation in this episode? We can have our own - take a seat at my virtual table as part of a Mastermind Group.A huge thank you must go to SessionLab, the sponsor of Workshops Work. Claim your free two months of SessionLab Pro now – this deal is exclusive to Workshops Work listeners!Questions and Answers[01:55] – When did you start calling yourself a facilitator?[08:49] – What is the difference between a trainer and a facilitator?[11:05] – Would you rather refer to yourself as a trainer, facilitator, or coach?[12:50] – What hashtag would you give yourself with all these hats that you’re wearing?[15:30] – What is the advantage of having a new leader joining a workshop, as opposed to a meeting where everyone can also contribute?[17:41] - What would be your tools to drive a meaningful outcome and a meaningful output in a workshop or in a meeting?[22:16] – What are the consequences of each priority? And, how would you facilitate this process?[26:33] - What does it take to create trust and how do you make sure that trust develops?[31:14] – Does it always need to be the leader to break this vicious circle of distrust and dishonesty?[35:08] – Would you rather coach a leader who is a wolf in sheep’s clothing…or would you find another facilitator?[38:44] - Is it possible to achieve a sustainable output without having the outcomes that go along with it?[40:11] - What is the perfect recipe to fail a workshop?[41:51] - Why is it important to have a chapter on facilitation in a corporate presenter’s handbook?[45:07] – What would you like the audience to take away from this discussion?Links to CheckLeanne Hughes’ Interview with MyriamEpisode 033 – How to hear the unsaid in the workshop space – with Oscar TrimboliEpisode 034 – All you needShare your thoughts about our conversation!Support the show✨✨✨Subscribe to our newsletter to receive a free 1-page summary of each upcoming episode directly to your inbox, or explore our eBooks featuring 50-episode compilations for even more facilitation insights. Find out more:https://workshops.work/podcast✨✨✨Did you know? You can search all episodes by keyword to find exactly what you need via our Buzzsprout page!

Holger Nauheimer is one of the leading voices in change management and the founder of Berlin Change Days, a conference for facilitators and change makers – attracting 150 participants from all continents to Berlin. With over 30 years of facilitation experience, Holger is uniquely placed to talk about our passions and profession. So much so, in fact, that he has developed a reputation for facilitating other facilitators!That’s why I was so happy to have him join me for this episode of Workshops Work. We talked about such a variety of topics, but the focus of this episode was facilitating facilitators.Holger shares his thoughts on:What it means to be a good facilitatorIntentionalityMindset managementHow he started Berlin Change Days and the lessons he has learnedThe role of controlWhat failure really means.I’m amazed by how much we managed to discuss!Click here to download the free 1-page summaryDon’t miss the next show: Subscribe to the show with your favourite podcast player.Feeling inspired by the conversation in this episode? We can have our own - take a seat at my virtual table as part of a Mastermind Group.Questions and Answers02:13 – When did you start calling yourself a facilitator?04:13 – What does it take to be a good facilitator?05:29 – What does facilitation mean to you?06:41 – If you had to give yourself a hashtag, what would it be?09:27 – Is intention part of the foundations of your work as a host, facilitator, and consultant?12:41 – What would your advice be to a facilitator who finds themselves triggered by difficult moments in their workshops?16:51 – How did you come up with the idea for Berlin Change Days?19:32 – Why is 150 attendees the “magic number” for Berlin Change Days?20:38 – What is the biggest lesson you have learned after 11 years of Berlin Change Days?23:38 – Do events need a different design based on their audience?26:13 – How do you find the balance between emotional and too emotional?28:38 – Do you redesign the flow of a conference?30:58 – Have you experienced facilitators trying to “co-facilitate” your workshops?34:22 – Does the fact that facilitators understand facilitation make the workshop more difficult?37:13 – What is your favourite exercise to push your participants out of their comfort zone?40:05 – Do facilitators jump into activities more readily in workshops?41:25 – What would be the worst way to introduce a warm-up exercise?43:09 – Do facilitators struggle to give up control when they are not in charge?48:10 – How do you select Head Facilitators for Berlin Change Days?48:52 – What do you think makes a workshop fail?51:31 – What is the first thing an aspiring facilitator should learn?Links to CheckShare your thoughts about our conversation!Support the show✨✨✨Subscribe to our newsletter to receive a free 1-page summary of each upcoming episode directly to your inbox, or explore our eBooks featuring 50-episode compilations for even more facilitation insights. Find out more:https://workshops.work/podcast✨✨✨Did you know? You can search all episodes by keyword to find exactly what you need via our Buzzsprout page!

On episode 045 I speak with Leanne Hughes, my "(nearly) facilitation twin", public speaker, trainer and, fellow podcast host. We cover a lot of ground and speak about the habits of facilitators and our mindsets, we speak about the meaning of showing up (as opposed to showing off). Leanne shares what she has learned from instructional design and now applies to her workshop design. Click here to download the free 1-page summaryDon’t miss the next show: Subscribe to the show with your favourite podcast player.Feeling inspired by the conversation in this episode? We can have our own - take a seat at my virtual table as part of a Mastermind Group.A huge thank you must go to SessionLab, the sponsor of Workshops Work. Claim your free two months of SessionLab Pro now – this deal is exclusive to Workshops Work listeners! Questions and Answers [1:53] How did you get into facilitation and podcasting? [4:20] Do you recall the moment when you called yourself a facilitator for the first time?[6:16] If you were a hashtag, what would you be?[6:32] What does it mean to you to show up?[9:33] What have you learned from 100 episodes on the First Time Facilitator podcast?[12:38] What’s your advice to a first-time facilitator?[15:20] What would you consider your own uniqueness as a facilitator?[17:27] Who did you get feedback to improve your facilitation skills? [19:11] What do you mean by “contrast”?   [22:33] Would you design for contrast or use the contrast that exists already in the room?[23:38] What is your strategy to bring the spark of energy back into the room?[25:43] How do you prepare for contrast in a workshop that you facilitate abroad?[29:55] How would you prepare for a workshop where a large hierarchical difference will be present?[32:57] How much “training" would you allow a facilitator during a workshop?[34:57] What’s your silver bullet exercise?[43:14] What is it that your clients hire you for?[48:14] What makes a workshop fail?[50:47] How would you deal with such a situation today?[52:03] Would you facilitate workshops that were designed by someone else? Links to checkLeanne's business page: Leannehughes.comLeanne's podcast "First Time Facilitator" and our episode 89 Atomic Habits by James ClearClifton Strength Assessment It’s never crowded along the extra miShare your thoughts about our conversation!Support the show✨✨✨Subscribe to our newsletter to receive a free 1-page summary of each upcoming episode directly to your inbox, or explore our eBooks featuring 50-episode compilations for even more facilitation insights. Find out more:https://workshops.work/podcast✨✨✨Did you know? You can search all episodes by keyword to find exactly what you need via our Buzzsprout page!