The Facilitation Studio

Before you say yes A leader has made a decision and wants the team involved. You design a proper workshop. Then you ask the sponsor what will actually change based on what people say, and they pause — "we're fairly committed to the direction, we just want the team to feel heard." You've just been handed a brief to perform a workshop, not run one. This episode looks at the hidden cost of running wo...

Mapping is how you get all of your collaborators on the same page, speaking the same language and ready to work together productively. It's how you build the shared picture that the rest of the workshop runs on top of. This is the first of four deep-dives into the workshop activity types — Dream, Map, Distil, Prioritise — picking up from issue #7 (the four types) and issue #22 (the Butterfly that...

The Butterfly is the mental model I use to understand how workshops actually move. Two wings, active work and reflective work, and a single point at the centre that every transition passes through without exception. In this episode I walk through what that centre point actually looks, sounds, and feels like in practice. I also explain why the Butterfly and the Double Diamond aren't competing frame...

Ever watched someone run a Design Sprint on a three-year strategy question? Every step executed perfectly. Entirely wrong outcome. That's not a facilitation problem — that's a vocabulary problem. In this episode I'm unpacking a distinction that I think sits at the heart of getting better at this work: the difference between a tool, a method, and a process. They're not the same thing, they don't do...

Most people start planning a workshop by dropping activities onto a board. An icebreaker here, a brainstorm there, a How Might We and some dot-voting to tidy things up. Two hours, looks solid. The problem is, you've just picked the words before you know what you want to say. In this episode, I'm talking about the step that sits between your intent and your agenda — the one most facilitators skip e...

Should we be living in a dotocracy? Everyone uses dot-voting. It's fast, it feels democratic, and it gives a room full of people a satisfying sense of progress. The problem is that most of the time, it's being asked to do something it was never designed for. In this episode I'm talking about the difference between narrowing a list and making a decision — and why confusing the two is one of the mos...

In this episode, we dive into the essentials for running successful in-person workshops. From packing the ultimate kit—including agendas, print materials, Sharpies, and super sticky Post-its—to setting up the perfect environment and managing logistics, this issue has got you covered. Learn the tricks to handle tech failures, plan ahead, and keep your workshop running smoothly. Plus, get tips on ef...

Mastering Remote Workshops: An Essential Toolkit & Checklist Join me for this jam-packed episode where we dive into the essentials of running a remote workshop; get a sneak peek into an expert’s desk setup designed to boost workshop delivery, from must-have gadgets to delightful extras. You'll also find a step-by-step checklist for a stress-free preparation, ensuring your tech and participants are...

Remote, In-Person, or Hybrid: Choosing the Right Format for Your Workshop In this issue, we dive into the pros and cons of delivering workshops in different formats: in-person, remote, and hybrid. You'll learn about the key benefits of each, such as building relationships and managing environments in-person, achieving global reach and pre/post engagement in remote sessions, and the complex yet rew...

#15 - The Art of the Presentation pt 2: Slides, Structure, and Strategy In this episode from the Facilitation Studio, we jump into presentation slides and structure. Learn about the effective use of slides, keeping presentations concise, and prepping like a pro. Plus, get top tips on slide design and pacing, explore the intense PechaKucha method, and discover why practice is your best friend. 00:0...

In this episode, we're diving into the essentials of presenting your own work effectively. Learn why you should be the one presenting your ideas, how to understand and engage with your audience, and tips for giving a captivating presentation. We emphasize the importance of being present, using your voice and body language, and pacing your delivery. Get ready to elevate your presentation game and s...

I don’t understand what you want from me. Have you ever sat in a room full of people who are busily working away and felt like you’re outside the loop? Like you missed the memo and don’t know what’s going on? It’s disenfranchising and disengaging. People in this situation often draw into themselves and go silent, or they take control of events and turn them into something they do understand, which...

We all share a fear of the "difficult" collaborator. In this mini-series of three issues, we'll cover the top three reasons a collaborator might not play ball. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facilitationstudio.substack.com

You know that awkward pause when you open the floor for discussion? The one where everyone looks at you blankly, and you’re not sure if you’ve made a horrible error, you’ve totally misunderstood something fundamental, or perhaps you aren’t actually speaking the same language as your collaborators. Today we’re going to talk about how to avoid that moment. This is a public episode. If you would like...

Since you're reading this, I suspect you also think workshops are an excellent way to bring people together to collaborate, address complex challenges, and come to impactful conclusions.  However, as we all know, a great workshop takes more than throwing people in a room with a vague direction and expecting them to make magic happen. Without clear aims and objectives, workshops can quickly become...

Good decision-making starts with understanding the criteria you’re using to make your judgements. In this issue, we will walk through the process of defining your criteria with a case study. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facilitationstudio.substack.com

In this issue, we'll explore how you can select the best workshop activities for your session by grouping them into four categories: Dream, Map, Distill, and Prioritise. You can set different cadences and rhythms to achieve your workshop goals by focusing on these four categories. Instead of being activity-led, ask yourself what you're trying to achieve and use that to select from the plethora of...

In his funny and fantastic 2008 TED talk Benjamin Zander talks about his job as a conductor. The link with facilitation and leadership gives us plenty of insight to take away. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facilitationstudio.substack.com

In the previous issue , I introduced Edward de Bono's six-hat thinking tool, a powerful technique for exploring multiple perspectives and generating new ideas. In this issue, we will dive deeper into how to apply the six thinking hats in the structure of a project retrospective. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visi...

Edward de Bono's Six Thinking Hats is a tool for guiding teams through complex conversations and achieving specific outcomes using six different thinking styles. In this episode we run through the six hats, the theory and two ways you can apply the tool to decision making and ideation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episode...

In the last issue, we discussed five essential elements of successful workshop facilitation and how to start including them in your work. Today we’re coming from the other angle; five things you can watch out for and how to avert them if they happen to you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facilitationstudio.s...

In this edition, you'll learn about five essential things to consider when planning your workshops. These key elements will help you and your collaborators achieve your goals while avoiding common pitfalls. Best of all, each one includes something you can immediately put into action. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes,...

Hi there! I’m John Sunart, a Design Strategist and Facilitator, and this is the start of the Facilitation Studio. If you’re wondering what that means, and I’m pretty sure you will be, let me explain... This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facilitationstudio.substack.com