Getting started in facilitation? Avoid overwhelm with my list of tools
Considering leaning in and doing more facilitation? Maybe you’re already leading groups in some capacity and want to do more of it, or perhaps you’re just curious about taking the leap from your current role into a new field. Either way, I can empathize with the uncertainty you might be feeling about getting started.
Before I started my own business I worked in a job that I really liked, but I was only doing what I loved some of the time. I wanted to do more of the good stuff (which happened to be facilitation), along with the ability to choose which projects I said “yes” to, and call my own shots.
There were a lot of variables in the mix that likely held me back from making the decision sooner, and I wish I’d had more tools and resources to kickstart my journey.
If any of this is resonating with you, you’ve come to the right place! I put together my favorite resources, how-to guides and references that I think will be most helpful for those of you who are just getting started.
The survival guide to your first workshop: Leading teams through transformative work is a big job. You need to be organized, prepared for surprises and hold the room, all while trying not to sweat through your shirt. These 9 tips will help you feel more confident while leading.
A workshop-prep tool that will help you get organized in advance: I created a worksheet template to outline the who, what, when, where and why of a workshop. In fact, I use it to plan in advance for my own sessions because it makes the overall experience clearer and more fruitful. You can download it at the link.
My 5 tips for being a better facilitator: Your role as a facilitator isn’t to show off with your knowledge of the business; it’s to guide people through a process that arrives at a desired outcome. Avoid making the mistakes I made by following this guide.
Keep the right tools on hand to run a workshop: This is a bit more tactile, but what you pack in your bag for a day-long or week-long workshop matters! This is the gear I always keep on hand to make sure I’ve got the right materials and supplies for a successful session.
Learn to plan and pace activities like a pro: Many workshops follow a common arc from beginning to end, with five very distinct chapters along the way. For support with workshop design, take a look at these chapters and a few example methods that can be used within each. It will make the planning part of your job a lot more straightforward.
Make sure you’re taking care of you: Our ability to lead and guide relies heavily on our ability to show up for ourselves first and foremost. There are a few things I recommend facilitators do before, during and after a session to stay grounded.
If a Design Sprint is your aim, cover all the basics: Check out my 4 key tips for running a Sprint, then take the time to prepare your team for this 5-day session. By following a few straightforward steps, you’ll help eliminate surprises, align the group and ensure better outcomes.
Read, stay curious, and never stop learning: Commit to continuing education, whether it’s reading a book a month, participating in trainings, or honing complementary skills (I once tried an improv class for this very reason!). Here are a few of my favorite written resources to help get you started:
The Sprint Book: If you want to facilitate a big workshop and a Design Sprint seems like the right format, this book is essentially your go-to paybook. I love it because it’s a fail-proof formula for running a Sprint and, while it still might be hard work to lead, the book essentially eliminates the need for workshop design.
Ideos Design Kit: This is a library of mindsets and methods for human-centered design. It’s rich with techniques and activities to support specific parts of workshops and even breaks down the how-to. A great resource to have on your shelf no matter what kind of sessions you facilitate.
Listen Like You Mean It: Written by a researcher, this book is an excellent guide for helping facilitators hone their listening and research skills, which is a pretty significant part of the job.
Let Your Life Speak: If you aren’t totally sold on becoming a facilitator – or how to make a career change in general – this is a great book for anyone in exploration mode with regard to their professional vocation.
My hope is that these resources save you time and energy (and from feelings of overwhelm!), as you get started in your career. And if you’re still unsure, check out this post – 6 signs that you might be a facilitator – to see if you’re on the right track.