Library of facilitation techniques

We live and work in turbulent times, juggling never-ending to-do lists, back-to-back meetings, and constant context switching. When people enter a meeting, they often carry mental clutter – unfinished tasks, lingering thoughts, or stress from the previous discussion.

This simple yet effective exercise helps participants mentally transition into the meeting by externalizing their distractions, physically letting them go, and creating a fresh focus for the discussion ahead. I use this whenever I sense a group (whether virtual or in-person) is distracted, overwhelmed, or coming straight from another meeting. It works well when combined with a check-in question that gets everyone speaking.

Creative reflection and dialogue, connection activity, introductions

From Miniature Metaphors Reflection and Processing Toolkit by Experiential Tools

Tool for teams to Know Ourselves, Let Others Know How We Work, and Work Well with Others.

Way to disperse a few closing/feedback questions throughout the room

from The Emotional Culture Deck (ridersandelephants.com)

from "The Moth" Game of Storytelling. Connection, sharing, listening to others.

selection of various approaches to messaging

warm-up activity from Rachel Davis via AJ&Smart

Structured Networking