workshops work

In this very-early morning and truly authentic show, I speak with Lily Gros, a facilitator, entrepreneur and youtuber. Lily started La Minute Facilitation, her business with which she facilitates workshops for (mostly non-profit) clients, trains facilitators on their mindset and runs her own workshops on authenticity and perfectionism.  In the show, we talk about “authenticity 360 degrees” which includes the facilitator and the participants. And, we talk about mindful facilitation which becomes crucial as soon as challenges come up. Don’t miss our very honest exchange on how we dealt with challenging situations. These lessons we learned will surely inspire you to anticipate problems so that you can make your workshops work.  ✨✨✨Subscribe to our newsletter for 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✨✨✨Questions and Answers[1:37] What are your different roles as a facilitator? [7:36] Authenticity became quite a buzzword. How do you define it and what does it mean to you? [10:54] How did you learn to be authentic?  [12:43] How did you come up with this topic?[15:16] How do get your groups to be more authentic? [16:27] You get to know your participants before the workshop? [17:30] What would be an icebreaker for a “cold” group of participants?[21:35] Why does it feel so scary to be authentic? [24:21] How do you approach the puzzle that a team might accept imperfection and vulnerability and still show high performance? [31:34] How do you test the water in terms of openness of your participants?[34:20] How did you manage to create the safe space after this tricky situation? [41:02] What is your way in dealing with such a difficult participant? [45:05] What makes a workshop work?[47:55] What shall the audience remember from the show?Related links you may want to check out:Lily’s business page: https://lilygros.co/The white paper (book) Lily wrote with Ze Change Makers (in French)Brené Brown’s TED talkLily’s interview with Peter Krishnan (summary)Jim Tamm on Radical Collaboration The five keys to a successful Google teamOur sponsor Session Lab (affiliate link) Shows we mentioned:MindsetShare 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!

In episode 013, I talk to Alison Coward, a founder, facilitator, book author and keynote speaker. Alison runs Bracket, a consulting agency that helps teams work better together. We talk about “workshop culture” and the fact that not every professional gathering must turn into a workshop. Instead, we can use workshop elements that will help boost team collaboration and creativity in meetings and everyday business. In the show, Alison shares how to create a workshops culture with groups who are not used to post-it notes and sharpie markers. Alison’s reflections on creativity at work will inspire you to design and deliver workshops that work. ✨✨✨Subscribe to our newsletter for 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✨✨✨ Questions and Answers[1:11] What’s the story behind your company name “Bracket”?[5:15] What did you learn from your time working with creatives about the facilitation of business meetings and workshops?[6:43] How do you get management teams to become more “creative”? [7:48] How do you facilitate creativity without getting into the “touchy-feely” zone and how do you turn the outcomes into something productive? [9:45] What will you then do with these ideas to get to the productive bit?[11:53] What is the timeframe you advise your clients to take for a workshop to tackle a specific problem?[13:21] What is the difference between a workshop, a group discussion and a meeting? [15:48] How can we bring the dynamic part of a workshop into a meeting? [19:30] How would you initiate this transformative process of introducing workshop culture into a team? [26:08] Do you have ground rules that come along with what you call “workshop culture”?[28:05] What are the ingredients you need to bring workshop culture into a “normal meeting”?[28:36] With what kind of exercises would you use for that?[29:38] Not every team can afford hiring a facilitator for a “normal” meeting. Could a team member take on this facilitation role? [34:33] Do you believe in taking mindfulness into meetings?[35:50] How do you deal with a situation where a check-in comment risks to take the meeting somewhere else? [36:54] What’s the magic that gets work done in a workshop?[38:06] To what extent is the facilitator responsible for the follow-through of workshop outcomes? [40:37] How can we bring the energy back up in a full day workshop – especially after everyone comes back from lunch? [45:03] Why are organisations today so much more aware of the benefits of collaboration compared to 10 years ago when you first started? What has changed?Related links you may want to check out:Alison’s business page: https://www.bracketcreative.co.ukHer book: “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!

In this episode, I talk to Mathias Weitbrecht, a visual facilitator and book author. When he started, 15 years ago, Mathias was one of the co-founders of visual facilitation in Germany. Mathias runs Visual Facilitators, a company that brings forth people’s potential by adding a new dimension to the process of collaboration – through visuals. We talk about the skillset facilitators need to use visuals in their workshops. And, you will learn that being artistic is not amongst them.    Don’t miss the part when Mathias explains the breakthrough visual facilitation can bring to the group by giving introverts and shy participants a voice. Tune in to learn how to use pen and paper to deliver workshops that work. ✨✨✨Subscribe to our newsletter for 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✨✨✨Questions and Answers[1:24] What brought you to the field of visual facilitation?[3:17] How can someone become a visual facilitator who cannot draw?[6:03] How can you make sure that the images you draw represent the content participants hear?[8:06] Can you facilitate and visualize at the same time?[11:09] Does the group you facilitate require specific skills, such as speaking in metaphors?[12:14] What is the skillset a visual facilitator needs?[14:38] How much background knowledge about the specific workshop topic do you need to visualize the minutes in real-time?[15:47] Are there specific workshop types that (dis-)qualify from visual facilitation?[16:40] Would you use this technique in your private environment? And, how do your counterparts react?[21:27] In an earlier conversation you mentioned that we cannot reduce complexity but only make it more digestible. Can you elaborate on that?[22:41] Is there a risk of over-simplifying? What are potential drawbacks of visual facilitation? [24:53] Does it happen that a group finds a completely new perspective on their issue through the visualization? [26:48] What are the exercises you would incorporate in your workshop design?[31:54] What is your advice to someone who wants to test the field of visual facilitation? [29:30] How do you perceive the risk of interpreting the content instead of translating it? How can the visual facilitator remain neutral?[32:43] What makes workshops work?[33:37] How do introverts react to visual facilitation?[34:42] What are you doing in workshops to get the energy back?[35:53] Do you use pen and paper or an iPad/ digital tools for visualization?[37:38] What shall the listener take away from our conversation?[38:42] How can we find you, reach out and hire you?         Related links you may want to check out:Mathias’ business page: www.visualfacilitators.com Our sponsor 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!

In this episode, I talk to Frans Scheepens, a brainstorm designer, entrepreneur and certified facilitator. We talk about conducting brainstorming sessions with very large groups as he has designed and facilitated groups with up to 650 participants. Frans founded Brainfuel a company that helps groups to generate many ideas that will solve important problems.   In the show, Frans shares hands-on advice on how to design and facilitate large group brainstorming sessions. He shares suitable ice-breaker exercises, voting techniques and best practices on how to deal with upcoming challenges and distractions. You will learn how to make sure that all ideas count and how you would have to instruct facilitators to support the sub-groups in the process.Don’t miss the part when Frans explains why brainstorming sessions have such a bad reputation and what you can do to deliver brainstorming workshops that work. ✨✨✨Subscribe to our newsletter for 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✨✨✨ Questions and Answers[1:16] If you were a hashtag, what would it be?[1:28] How do you define ‘brainstorming’?[2:08] Is a brainstorming just a nice concept for a meeting without agenda?[2:59] Where does the bad reputation of brainstorming come from?[4:05] What questions qualify for a brainstorm?[6:25] When you advice to include ‘people from the outside’ in the session, who do you mean?[7:28] Is there an optimum number of people to include in a brainstorming session? [8:47] How do you avoid outsiders to create resistance regarding their ideas?[9:43] Would you give participants homework for the preparation of the brainstorm?[11:25] What is your favourite icebreaker/ check-in exercise? [13:00] How much time would you consider for such an exercise? [14:23] What is a ‘daring brainstorm’? [14:46] What’s the maximum size of a brainstorm session you did?[15:18] Who would facilitate these sub-teams?[17:00] How do you manage distraction for such a large group?[18:30] What would you advise on how to deal with distraction or side-talk during a session? [22:39] What is the perspective that you need to empathize with when designing such brainstorming sessions?[25:55] What is a ‘brain-dump’? [27:33] What is your method of brainstorming?[28:18] Can you walk us through the superhero method?[32:06] In a very operational way, what is your approach to brainstorming? [39:46] How do you choose the best ideas? [44:37] How do the sub-groups then share their results with each other?  [45:59] To what extent does the facilitator has a responsibility on the follow-up of the brainstorming session?[47:02] Would you also engage in the follow-up?[51:00] What makes workshops work?[51:38] What shall someone, who missed the last 50 minutes, taShare 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!

In this episode, I talk to Dirk Verburg, a management consultant and executive coach who has the mission to help leaders and management teams to implement their business strategies, business plans and strategic initiatives (such as important projects). We talk about how facilitators can structure workshops that enable participants to execute what they have committed to. We discuss how management teams can keep momentum when being back in their daily routines. In the show, Dirk shares interventions that will help the management team to follow through decided strategies and the role of leaders in that process. Don’t miss the part when Dirk explains how he handles the double role of being a consultant and a facilitator of strategic projects. This conversation will inspire you to design strategy workshops which participants will feel motivated to carry on. ✨✨✨Subscribe to our newsletter for 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✨✨✨ Questions and Answers[2:05] What is your story?[3:20] What makes strategies and business plans fail? [3:49] Do participants in your workshops usually have a clear idea already how the strategy looks like?[5:47] How would you approach such a discussion? Would it be a guided discussion with all team members around a table?[6:34] How often does it happen that the team hears the same words but understands something different?[7:12] If there is disagreement, how do you deal with the tension?[8:03] How do you secure the buy-in?[10:00] After you clarified disagreement and achieved buy-in, what is the next step to assure the follow-up after the workshop?[11:52] What are the next steps toward execution?[13:06] How do you collect the participants’ ideas regarding the specific translations of the strategy? And how do you make sure that everyone is contributing?[15:08] When participants work in pairs: how do you build these and will they remain the same over the duration of the workshop?[15:45] How do you get introverts to voice their opinions?[16:45] How do you deal with the bunch of action items?[19:28] How do you get the team to prioritize action items?[21:04] How do you then divide the tasks for execution?[22:16] Would that mean that the person who has an idea is in charge of the realization?[27:06] How do you get the team members to follow through with their responsibilities?[28:42] This sounds so easy in theory but the reality is that many managers have competing commitments. How do you coach the leader to assure progress? [34:22] How can you as a facilitator help the team to follow through and to make it fun to stick to the commitments?[37:06] How do you walk the line between being a facilitator and being a consultant?[38:49] How do you assure that the CEO doesn’t lose face in such situations?[39:33] I like to ask my podcast guests fShare 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!

In this episode, I talk to Megan Mateer, former corporate strategy consultant and now founder, facilitator, and changemaker. She founded Empatiko, a movement that aims to be a catalyst for human connection in the workplace and therefore accompanies organizations through that cultural transformation. Meg and I talk about conflict in group settings and how to use conflict as an opportunity for insight, clarity and connection in the context of workshops. You will hear about the difference between healthy and unhealthy conflict and how to deal with the latter when it arises in different shapes. Also, we speak about another form of conflict in the workshop space: a conflict between the facilitator and the group. Don’t miss the part where Meg runs us through the process of avoiding conflict by using the example of someone coming late to a meeting. Tune in to learn tools to make healthy conflict your ally and avoid unhealthy conflict from derailing so that your workshops work. ✨✨✨Subscribe to our newsletter for 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✨✨✨Questions and Answers[1:20] How did you get from being a corporate strategy consultant to becoming the founder of Empatiko.[6:55] When you say that conflict can create a connection, what do you mean by that? [7:51] What are the elements that trigger conflict?[9:00] Would you say that we most often ignore conflict to then deny it when it comes up?[10:41] Since conflict is triggered by differences in assumptions, values and needs, how do you deal with conflict once it comes up?[11:53] Would you explicitly ask self-reflection questions in the workshop space when you feel that there is conflict?[16:52] At the moment you feel “an elephant in the room”, how would you deal with it? [19:28] Why don’t you walk us through the concept of non-violent communication? [24:45] As this doesn’t sound like “conflict” anymore to me, how would you actually define conflict and how do you avoid conflict to derail into something unhealthy? [27:32] How do you deal with what you call “explosive conflict”?[30:21] Would you then call a break when conflict arises and how would you then continue? [31:56] How can we deal with a situation when the conflict is about us as facilitators?[37:14] Coming back to the resolution of conflict among participants, how can you use the energy created by the conflict?[41:46] What is your favourite exercise that usually works?[43:17] For what kind of topic would you use the framework of the fishbowl?[44:34] How would you finish the sentence: “Workshops fail if…” [45:17] What would you like the listener to remember who fell asleep after minute one?[46:42] If someone wants to reach out, connect to or work with you, how can they find you?Related links you may want to check out:Meg’s business page: 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!

In this episode, I talk to Marcel van de Hoef, a journalist, coach, and podcaster. Marcel hosts The Meeting Strategist podcast and helps leaders to transmit their mission through mass communication formats. Everything he does has to do with communication, so we talk about power structures in conversations and namely in meetings and workshops.   In the show, Marcel shares how he raises awareness of the impact of power differences to reduce ineffective effects on conversations. We also speak about journalism, leadership, and how to use power for role modelling. Don’t miss the part when Marcel shared his experience being an editor in chief at age 22 and what he would do differently today. The conversation will inspire you to reduce unproductive power in workshops to make them work.      Questions and Answers[2:28] How did you get interested in the topic of power? What’s your story?[12:01] How would you define “unproductive power differences”?[14:33] How can we avoid the negative impact of power differences?[16:05] So power differences are not necessarily tied to differences in a hierarchy?[18:00] In the context of professional gatherings, how can you make participants become aware of such power differences?[22:21] When you feel power differences, how can you get participants to share information without risking the safe space? [27:27] Do you have a trick that helps those in power to lower their guards in meetings or workshops?[33:01] What is the role of ego in power games?[35:51] What is the magic ingredient that distinguishes a good from a bad meeting?[38:18] How can you keep the balance between contributing, connecting and time boxing in a meeting with a tight agenda? [47:26] If a listener just woke up and missed the core part of the show, what do you want them to remember?Related links you may want to check out:Marcel’s website, including his blog and podcast: www.meetingstrategist.orgMarcel’s mentor Mauk Mulder http://maukmulder.nl/ (in Dutch) and an article in EnglishPriya Parker’s book: The Art of GatheringCeleste Headlee on Coaching for Leaders Amy Edmondson’s case study of the Chilean mine rescue Marcel’s conversation with Oscar Trimboli on Deep Listening Dale Carnegie’s book: How to win friends and influence peopleMarcel’s short blog about Dale Carnegie’s book Our sponsor 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!

In this episode, I talk to Jeremy Akers, an agnostic agile coach, trainer and public speaker. He accompanies businesses through their agile transformation with Wemanity and is associated with Instituut Core, an institute for management training programs. Jeremy and I speak about the facilitator’s mindset and what it means to be fully present in a workshop. He shares how he deals with his own discomfort and why it is important to share feelings of discomfort with the group. Tune in to hear about deep-democracy and techniques we can apply to decision-making processes that include everyone’s perspective without derailing into unproductive discussions. Don’t miss the part when Jeremy explains why he prefers hand-voting over dot-voting. This conversation will surely inspire you to explore your own areas of discomfort and will help you design workshops that work. Questions and Answers:[1:23] What does “agnostic agile” mean?[3:12] How did you become an agile coach?[7:19] How would you apply your concept of awareness to a group context?[7:35] How do you teach awareness?[12:40] What is the mindset according to you that you need as a facilitator?[15:30] How did you train for being able to be fully present with the group?[18:50] Would you apply a different method to provide a safe space when you work with individuals or with a group?[20:10] How can you become better in being fully present?[22:33] What reaction do you get when you share your discomfort with the participants?[27:11] What makes workshops fail?[28:44] How do you snap the group out of an unproductive back and forth of arguments?[34:26] How do you walk the thin line between providing safe space by agreeing and being the sparring partner who challenges the ideas of the group?[37:56] How can we get to a clear decision while “yes ending” each other?[40:43] How do you make sure that you get all concerns on the table?[43:35] When it comes to voting, what are the pros and cons of different techniques?[46:00] If our listeners fell asleep and just woke up, what shall they take away? Links we mentioned during the conversation:Instituut Core Management Training: https://www.instituutcore.nl/en/Vipassana meditation: www.dhamma.orgRay Dalio’s “Principles”: Episode 7 on YoutubeChris Voss book “Never split the difference” and the concept of tactical empathySystems centred therapy: Functional subgrouping (Youtube)Deep democracy, Lewis method: 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!

In this episode, I talk to Stephan Kinsch, a trained chartered accountant who turned into a TEDx speaker, successful executive coach, opened the circus Zaltimbanq and runs a clown school. Others say about Steph that “he doesn’t take himself seriously but does things very seriously.” We talk about similarities between the circus and meetings and what circus directors can teach managers and facilitators about structuring effective working sessions. This interview may change the way you thought about breaks and teach you how to better leverage their value. Steph guides us through several exercises that help participants connect and open up.  Don’t miss the part when Steph shares what he learned in a business meeting that he now applies in his clown workshops (and I witnessed the effectiveness myself). The clown will surely inspire you to think of meetings differently and help you design workshops that work. Related links you may want to check out:Stephan Kinsch’s business page: https://www.bebop.lu/ Steph’s circus school: https://www.zaltimbanq.lu/ and Facebook PageHis TEDx talk My blog post after joining Steph’s Clown workshopOur sponsor Session Lab (affiliate link)  Connect to Steph Kinsch:LinkedIn 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!

In this episode, I speak with Romas Stukenberg, a graduate of the prestigious THNK school for creative leadership and founder of Artistic Intelligence, a creative consulting agency that helps leaders to tackle strategic challenges through artistic means. We talk about the difference between being creative and artistic. Our conversation dives deep into the topic of self-leadership and the role of individual courage for successful workshops.    Don’t miss Romas' practical advice on how facilitators can drive groups from creative exploration back to the strategic application. Romas’ artistic approach will inspire you to deliver workshops that work. ✨✨✨Subscribe to our newsletter for a free 1-page summary of each upcoming episode directly to your inbox, or explore our eBooks featuring 100-episode compilations for even more facilitation insights. Find out more: https://workshops.work/podcast✨✨✨Questions and Answers[00:56] If you were a hashtag. What would you be? [02:09] According to you, what is the biggest misconception about design and art?[03:33] According to you, what is the true value of a designer in the business world? [05:16] You started a project that you call “artistic intelligence” – AI. What is your story behind this project? [07:19] How difficult is it to get business people to answer “big existential questions” by using art as a tool? [08:35] The concept of “AI” addresses strategic questions with open ends - What are good examples?[09:18] What is the difference between artistic and creative?[10:55] To what extent does artistic intelligence differ from Design Thinking?[11:57] Is AI then about slowing down?[13:45] In your AI workshops, is it the mindset and philosophy of art you apply or do participants also get their “hands dirty”?[15:17] To what extent are business leaders ready for this jump?[18:08 How do you converge the group towards results after the artistic exploration?[22:17] What is the impact of the physical workshop space on the dynamics? [23:09] What do the artists who facilitate your sessions differently compared to facilitators from the usual business environment?  [24:49] In a review of one of your workshops I read that you ask participants to explore their fears. What can we find in our fears that would reveal our strengths? [29:30] How do you make sure to those who might judge themselves as not being creative enough?[32:28] What would be for you a “meaningful closure” of a workshop? [34:46] What can you do to avoid a “biased” group check-out? [36:07] What would be the transformation for a team due to artistic intelligence? [37:31] What makes a workshop work? [38:54] What can a facilitator do to assure that the quality of space is maintained? [41:30] What is the nutshell you would like the audience to take home?[42:04] How do you encourage courage? Related links you may want to check out:Romas' business page: 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!