Library of facilitation techniques
find the right tool for your next session
Methods (298)
Heard, Seen, Respected (HSR)
Many situations do not have immediate answers or clear resolutions. Recognizing these situations and responding with empathy can improve the “cultural climate” and build trust among group members. HSR helps individuals learn to respond in ways that do not overpromise or overcontrol. It helps members of a group notice unwanted patterns and work together on shifting to more productive interactions. Participants experience the practice of more compassion and the benefits it engenders. HSR brings to life LS Principle #3, Build Trust as You Go.
Hello Kitty
A simple and short group game all about trying to make each other crack a smile. Participants take turns being 'kitties' and 'puppies'. The puppies try to make the kitties crack a smile or laugh. The last kitty standing is the winner! An original from The Northern Quarter Agency.
High-five elimination
Try to high-five the person to your right or left. If you match you stay in the game.
History Map
The main purpose of this activity is to remind and reflect on what group members or participants have been through and to create a collective experience and shared story. Every individual will gain a shared idea of what the group has been through together. Use this exercise at the end of a project or program as a way to reinforce learnings, celebrate highlights and create closure.
Hot Air Balloon
A great tool to kick-off ANY workshop! The hot air balloon is a metaphorical method that aims to identify strengths, weaknesses, external forces, stakeholders and goals all in a simple and well-structured process.
The charm is that you’re not relying on another dull matrix but actually going through an imaginary journey that engages us to think outside of our typical thought patterns. Just gather all participants and collect their input step-by-step in the process.
How-Now-Wow Matrix
When people want to develop new ideas, they most often think out of the box in the brainstorming or divergent phase. However, when it comes to convergence, people often end up picking ideas that are most familiar to them. This is called a ‘creative paradox’ or a ‘creadox’.
The How-Now-Wow matrix is an idea selection tool that breaks the creadox by forcing people to weigh each idea on 2 parameters.
Human objects
A quick, physical improv game that asks participants to embody an object as quickly as they can!
Icebreaker: Original
Ask participants to create or come up with a ice-breaker question. The icebreaker question must not be a cliché question and or commonly used.
Icebreaker: The Group Map
Ask people to place themselves on an imaginary map laid out in the room representing the country according to where they grew up. Ask them to share one internal value they got from that place, and why is that important for them. Encourage people to share a short story if they want
I could tell you a story about...
Players complete the sentence "I could tell you a story about...", responding to the facilitator's prompt of the nature of the story. The story is not told as part of the exercise.
Ideal Day - Design Your Perfect Average Day
A reflective writing exercise that helps participants visualize and design their ideal future lifestyle.
By imagining a single “perfect average day” five years from now, they explore what truly makes them happy & what is important to them across work, relationships, health, and adventures.
This activity guides participants to dream big without limitations.
The outcome is a vivid, detailed description of a day that reflects their most authentic, joyful life.