The Facilitation Studio

Improving your facilitation game
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Are you looking to up your facilitation game? Look no further than the Facilitation Studio! This podcast provides the foundations for good facilitation, as well as tools, techniques, and templates to help you elevate the collaborative experiences you lead. I’m John Sunart, an experienced facilitator, and I’m drawing on years of experience to bring you the best tips and tricks for facilitating with all sorts of people and all scales of organisation. Whether you're new to facilitation or a seasoned pro, join me in the studio and let's take your facilitation skills to the next level. facilitationstudio.substack.com

  1. 9 HR AGO

    #21 The whisk, the recipe and knowing how to cook

    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 the same jobs, and mixing them up is one of the most common reasons workshops fail to deliver. We use a kitchen analogy to work it out. A whisk is a tool. A Victoria sponge recipe is a method. Knowing how to cook is a process. And — crucially — no amount of perfect recipe-following will get you an omelette. In this episode: Why tools are only powerful in combination, and in the right moment What makes a method brilliant — and when it becomes a liability The difference between following a process and understanding one Why two facilitators with identical tools and methods will still run completely different sessions (that's the seasoning) Whether you actually need to understand process at all — or whether mastering one good method is entirely the right ambition Resources mentioned: Hyper Island Toolbox Interaction Design Foundation FigJam Community Templates Liberating Structures Sprint by Jake Knapp Practical Facilitation by Dr Christine Hogan Gamestorming by Dave Gray Read the full article at facilitationstudio.substack.com What's in your toolkit? And is there a method you swear by, or one you've seen spectacularly misapplied? I'd love to hear — drop me a message or leave a comment on the Substack. 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

    8 min

  2. 19 MAR

    #20 Moving from intent to activities

    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 entirely. Critical questions are the scaffolding that holds your activities in place, and without them, you're building on hope rather than structure. I'll walk you through the five steps I use to find, test, and sequence them so that by the time you're thinking about activities, every single one has a job to do. If you've ever stood in front of a room wondering whether the pieces are actually going to connect, this one's for you. In this episode: - Why choosing activities first gives you an agenda with very weak foundations - How to find the questions that only your collaborators can answer - Why not every question belongs in the room — and how to figure out which ones do - How to stress-test your questions against the people you've invited - Why the right sequence isn't always the tidy one Links and resources mentioned: Issue #9 — The road to a valuable workshop Find out more about facilitation coaching 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

    13 min

  3. 6 MAR

    #19 Do we live in a dotocracy?

    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 most common ways workshops quietly go wrong. I'll cover why dot-voting without criteria is just a popularity contest, why the dots are contagious, and why not everyone's vote is equal — and why that's absolutely fine. If you've ever watched a cluster form on a wall of post-its and wondered whether anything actually got decided, this one's for you. In this episode: • Why groups surface options but individuals make decisions • Yhree ways dot-voting goes wrong • How to set it up so it actually means something • When to put the dots away entirely Links and resources mentioned: Issue #8 — Drive good decision-making with criteria Read the full article Find out more about facilitation coaching 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

    9 min

  4. 14/01/2025

    #18 Your in-person workshop checklist

    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 efficient time management and prepping your space for an engaging, collaborative session. 00:00 Introduction and Recap 00:23 Preparing for In-Person Workshops 00:49 Essential Workshop Kit 06:45 Additional Important Items 11:25 The Process Checklist 13:51 Final Preparations and Execution 15:22 Post-Workshop Follow-Up 15:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 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

    16 min

  5. 04/10/2024

    #17 Your remote workshop checklist

    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 ready to rock. Plus, learn about the tools to keep sessions dynamic and engaging. For those ready to up their game, explore an exciting course on crafting impeccable workshop agendas. Let's make remote facilitation fun and effective! 00:00 Issue 17: Your remote workshop checklist. 00:13 Introduction to Remote Workshop Facilitation 01:09 Essential Tools for Remote Workshops 05:05 Advanced Gadgets for Enhanced Facilitation 07:20 Pre-Workshop Planning and Preparation 12:21 Post-Workshop Follow-Up and Feedback 13:10 Conclusion and Further Learning Opportunities 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

    14 min

  6. 30/08/2024

    #16 Should your workshop be hybrid, remote or in-person?

    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 rewarding hybrid setup. We highlight ideal scenarios for each type to help you make a deliberate choice for your next workshop 00:13 Introduction: Choosing Your Workshop Format 00:47 In-Person Workshops 05:30 Remote Workshops 11:25 Hybrid Workshops 15:19 Summary and Conclusion 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

    17 min

  7. 16/07/2024

    #15 The Art of the Presentation – Part 2: Your Slides and Your Structure

    #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. 00:00 Introduction to the Art of Presentation 00:22 Upcoming Online Course Announcement (survey link - https://maven.com/forms/1a1043) 01:00 Effective Use of Slides 02:54 Guidelines for Preparation and Presentation 07:13 Practice Makes Perfect 10:41 Encouraging Audience Engagement 11:43 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 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

    11 min

  8. 24/06/2024

    #14 The Art of the Presentation – Part 1: Your Audience and Yourself

    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 stay tuned for part two, where we'll tackle using slides, structuring your presentation, and more! 00:00 Introduction to Presentation Skills 01:05 Importance of Presenting Your Own Work 02:13 Understanding Your Audience 03:32 Engaging Presentation Techniques 05:22 Conclusion and Next Steps 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

    6 min
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About

Are you looking to up your facilitation game? Look no further than the Facilitation Studio! This podcast provides the foundations for good facilitation, as well as tools, techniques, and templates to help you elevate the collaborative experiences you lead. I’m John Sunart, an experienced facilitator, and I’m drawing on years of experience to bring you the best tips and tricks for facilitating with all sorts of people and all scales of organisation. Whether you're new to facilitation or a seasoned pro, join me in the studio and let's take your facilitation skills to the next level. facilitationstudio.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Improving your facilitation game
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © John Sunart
  • Show Website
    The Facilitation Studio

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