Delivery Matters

Stories behind workshop plans,
sticky notes and markers.

Author: Deborah Rim Moiso

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27 Decision-making Techniques and Activities for Deciding Together

In our groups and organizations, we want to move forward. We want to get things done, take action and change things in the world. To do that, we need to align on what we will do together, and how. In other words, we need to decide. Deciding in a group setting is not always easy! In fact, arguments over whether a decision has been taken (and it’s time to implement it) or not yet (so we are still discussing) are one of the most common sources of conflicts in a team. In this post, we have put together a collection of 27 decision-making techniques you can facilitate to help your…

How to Improve Group Decision-making (and Take Better Decisions!)

We join forces with others, creating groups, teams, and whole organizations, in order to advance toward a vision. We want to get things done. And in order to get things done, we need to take decisions, so that we can take the next step toward achieving those aims, missions, and goals.Why is it so common to argue over whether a decision was taken or not? When should we decide together, and when is it ok for one person to go ahead? What are the different ways of taking decisions? Which will work for you and your team? In this article we’ll cover all you need to know, as a facilitator…

Our Guide to Facilitation Week 2022

Where focus goes, energy flows. And in October, the world of facilitation’s focus is on the rich calendar of co-created events of Facilitation Week! Facilitation Week is a yearly marathon catalyzed by IAF, the International Association of Facilitators. This year, it will run from the 17th to the 23rd of October, in all time zones, live and online!There is always a lot to learn and you can expect every session to be lively and participatory. But before you go check out the entire event list, heed a word of warning! The week is absolutely packed with great events running for free, online, and open to anyone. There is so much…

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How to facilitate a meeting (practical tips and tools)

Getting stuff done usually requires coordinating efforts with other people. Which often translates into setting up dedicated spaces in which to discuss, create, prioritize and decide together. Those spaces are different from our normal interactions. They are set aside from the rest of the flow of the day, and they have rituals to start and end: we call them meetings. Learning how to facilitate a meeting effectively and improve team interactions is a valuable skill. Read on to find out how you can improve how you plan and run your meetings! I know, from lived experience, that meetings can be pleasant experiences of learning and empowerment, where collective genius is…

A step-by-step guide to planning a workshop

Going from a mere idea to a workshop that delivers results for your clients can feel like a daunting task. In this piece, we will shine a light on all the work behind the scenes. On a good day, facilitation can feel like effortless magic, but that is mostly the result of backstage work, foresight, and a lot of careful planning. Read on to learn a step-by-step approach to breaking the process of planning a workshop into small, manageable chunks. The flow starts with the first meeting with a client to define the purposes of a workshop. In other words, we are working on the assumption that the facilitator has…

An honest* guide to facilitating hybrid events

Trainers and facilitators around the world have been experimenting with hybrid events in earnest and the results are in: it is possible to facilitate engaging, participatory conversations with groups of people joining in different ways. After all, this is just one more form of diversity for skilled facilitators to handle!This honest* guide to planning and facilitating hybrid events has all you need to aim for success in this novel environment. This guide is packed with practical tips, insights and information to get you started setting up, designing and running successful hybrid events. First of all, you’ll find a definition of what we mean by hybrid events, complete with examples of…

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36 engaging hybrid activities (that work in any environment!)

To ensure participation of all attendees in a hybrid event, facilitators need to find creative solutions to make sure everyone is heard, seen and included! In this list of 36 hybrid activities, we have selected methods and tools that do just that, so get started designing your hybrid event with everything from icebreakers to decision-making tools! Hybrid gatherings, in which some participants join remotely and others in person, are a growing trend in facilitation worldwide. For those designing and running workshops and meetings, this poses new, unique challenges. How to make sure everyone is included and heard? How to create connections and deepen understanding among participants? How to run activities…

How to train new facilitators – a step by step guide

Training new facilitators in the use of facilitation skills is essential as the profession gains recognition and organizations come to realize the advantages of having facilitative leaders and team members. But how to begin? In this piece, IAF endorsed facilitator and new SessionLab team member Deborah shares tips and tools from her experience of 5+ years introducing students and professionals to facilitation. She leads us through the programme of a half-day introductory workshop session in which participants experience facilitation tools first-hand, reflect on them, and collect methods and skills in their first facilitation toolkit. As a facilitator and trainer, you may sometimes be asked to reveal what is going on…

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