When it comes to hiring a professional facilitator, people typically think of large, landmark events like global forums, annual strategy meetings, or executive retreats. Companies feel “justified” in hiring a professional group facilitator for these high-profile events because of the heightened visibility. But these companies are missing an opportunity to utilize group facilitation and the results it can produce on a regular basis. 

On a flight, in a doctor’s waiting room, or even before bed, I am one of those who is never without a book. Books have long been one of my favorite methods of learning and I’m excited to share what 2022 looked like for me in reading, learning, exploring new ideas, and questioning why things are the way they are.

For the young at heart, living in the professional world can reduce you to a shell of your playful, cheeky, smiling self. Workplace etiquette, the bottom line, and burnout can make workers feel more like a machine than their best selves.

As facilitators, we all know that creating a psychologically safe space is critical to a successful workshop. The more we can encourage our participants to be vulnerable, and to share not just their knowledge but also their emotions, the greater psychological insight we can generate. That then leads to more sustained behavior change and the adoption of solutions that address underlying incentives and needs.