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How to run an engaging ideation workshop

Want to know a secret about ideation? Coming up with ideas is easy. But what separates a good idea from a great solution is collaboration, refinement and strategic thinking. Enter the ideation workshop: a proven format for generating new ideas and turning them into effective solutions. In this guide, we'll share an effective ideation workshop structure and a heap of tips for running an effective ideation process, whether you're trying to solve problems for users or simply need to create innovation in any context. What is an ideation workshop? An ideation workshop is a structured format for going from zero ideas to great ideas. Typically, an ideation session will follow…

20 impactful workshop ideas for your next event

Workshops are a powerful, dynamic format for getting stuff done as a group. Whether you're a manager working on skills development or a creative professional building space for innovation and fun, a workshop is one of the most effective ways to accomplish a shared goal. But how to choose the right workshop format to use and how to make the most of time spent together as a team? In this blog post, we'll share workshop ideas ranging from corporate sessions you can use to make an impact in the workplace all the way through to creative activities you can use to engage participants at any workshop event. When should I…

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How to run a workshop (with a free workshop design canvas)

Are you preparing to debut as a facilitator, trainer, or workshop guide? Maybe you’re a team leader who’d like to try out more collaborative methods but are unsure where to begin? You’ve come to the right place. In this quick starter guide we will go through all the essential information you need to confidently run your first workshop. Taking it step-by-step, we will look into how to craft an invitation, what to include in the opening section of your event, how to guide the group through activities, and what to do in closing. To get you started designing your first workshop, we've also included a free Workshop Design Canvas you…

How Voltage Control designs and facilitates impactful workshops with SessionLab

Voltage Control is a top facilitation academy that focuses on improving how teams gather and move towards desired outcomes. They offer public facilitation certifications designed to support leaders’ growth in facilitation skills, as well as corporate programs that bring facilitation training in-house. Since the beginning, SessionLab has been a key part of Voltage Control’s process. As Erik Skogsberg describes, it’s an essential tool that allows the team to design adaptable agendas and effectively navigate complex discussions across teams and locations. By integrating SessionLab into their approach, Voltage Control helps organizations achieve impactful results and move the needle in meaningful ways How Voltage Control use SessionLab to design workshops and deliver…

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The top 11 most recommended facilitation books you’ll want to read

Looking to fill your bookshelf (or e-reader) with essential texts on facilitation and workshop design? This is the place to be! Here at SessionLab, we've surveyed over a thousand facilitators, trainers, and leaders to uncover their top go-to facilitation books. Read on to find the 11 recommendations not to be missed! Reading facilitation books will help you understand the deeper roots of the role, give you a bedrock of activities and tools and of course, if you are purchasing these as actual books and putting them on a shelf, will also provide you with a lovely and appropriate background for all your video calls. Why facilitation books matter Facilitation is…

What to keep in mind when hiring a facilitator

When a group faces tough challenges, effective facilitation can help create space for inclusive and engaging change. But when should you consider bringing in a professional facilitator to host a workshop or event? How can you ensure it's a worthwhile investment of your time and money? In this guide, we'll explore what to keep in mind when choosing to hire a facilitator, what to expect from them, and give you some idea of the cost of a facilitator's services too! Understanding the role of a facilitator Before diving into the specifics of hiring, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of what a facilitator does and how they'll be able…

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What is group facilitation? 12 tips for better group management

Group facilitation is more than just bringing people together in a room and hoping for the best. It’s about removing obstacles and creating the right conditions where collaboration can thrive. When a meeting or event flows well, it can feel like magic. But it actually isn't: you can easily improve your day-to-day meetings or stakeholder events by applying some simple group management tips. In this article, we’ll explore what makes group facilitation effective and share 12 tips to help you bring out the best in any group you’re working with. What is group facilitation? Whenever a group of people assembles to get something done, there is a need for guidance…

Six icons representing the roles of a facilitator. A compass for guide, a heart for community builder, a flag for team coach, a microphone for host, a dove for peacebuilder and a checklist for experience designer

What is the role of a facilitator?

Facilitators play a crucial role in helping groups have productive discussions and make tough decisions. As a facilitator, understanding the various roles you might occupy during a workshop or meeting can help things flow seamlessly and ensure group discussions and training sessions are effective. In this post, I’ll explore the six roles of a facilitator and how to use them in your practice. Each one highlights a unique set of skills that facilitators use to help groups stay focused, energized, and productive — much more than simply handing out sticky notes. 6 roles of a facilitator Facilitation is a relatively new field of interest and, as such, we don’t really…

What is a facilitator and what do they do?

As a professional facilitator, there are certain questions I find it really hard to answer. Such basic, chit-chat-at-the-dinner-party questions, in fact, that it’s almost embarrassing. Questions like: What is a "facilitator"? Why do people hire you? What is it that you actually do? To get to the bottom of these matters I’ll be using my own experience, that of colleagues from my networks and, in particular, data drawn from the State of Facilitation in 2023 report, which is based on over 1100 responses to a global survey. If you are considering starting a career as a facilitator or want to brush up on your skills, read on to be prepared…

What is facilitation? Definition and principles

Facilitation is a powerful skillset that helps improve collaboration, generates results and improves group dynamics. But what does it truly mean to facilitate and approach situations like a skilled facilitator? How can managers, leaders and anyone running meetings and workshops learn to bring a facilitative approach to their work? In this post, we'll share a definition of facilitation before exploring the key principles of facilitation you can use to embody the approach successfully, whether you're looking to have more effective meetings, handle conflict and do more productive group work. Below, we'll explore the meaning of facilitation in simple terms while also giving you a better sense of the core principles…

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How to become a (professional) facilitator

Facilitation is moving into the mainstream, and getting increasingly recognized as a rapidly growing profession and an essential set of skills. A quick look at Google Trends told me that worldwide searches for the word “facilitation” have almost doubled from 2019 to today. A recent uptick in interest may be credited to the new needs of complex remote-first or hybrid workplaces. Whatever the reason, facilitation is on the rise. Do you want to improve the way you run meetings or manage teams in your current position, or to set up your own freelance business? In this article, we’ll look at all you need to know if you are interested in…

10 great facilitation training courses (and more ways to learn facilitation)

Where can I learn facilitation? What facilitation training courses should I attend? How useful is it to get certified? Over at SessionLab we hear these questions all the time. We're dedicated to sharing the benefits of facilitation in the world and increasing the number of people with facilitation skills, so we put together a handy list of the best facilitation courses you can join, remotely or in person. Boost your career and increase your confidence in leading groups with these hand-picked and vetted facilitation training courses. Facilitation skills are considered “the best kept leadership secret” (that’s from a Forbes article) and a workplace superpower. Knowing how to design a meeting…

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