One of the benefits of being in business and academia for years is that we have a lot of experience running workshops. This episode is a brain dump of all the stuff you won’t learn in a book but is critical to the successful outcome of your program.

The first and perhaps most critical step is breaking the ice. By setting a relaxed and open tone, you ease participants into the session, ensuring they’re ready to engage. A simple question at the start can do wonders—something as quirky as asking attendees to share something strange about themselves. This activity breaks down barriers and injects some fun into the proceedings, setting the stage for a lively and productive workshop.

As a facilitator, it's vital to approach the workshop without a predefined answer or outcome in mind. Your role is to guide participants in finding solutions, ensuring participants take ownership of the results. This approach fosters a deeper connection to the material and encourages lasting change.

For instance, when working with a client like Maersk Line, the world's largest shipping company, it’s important to ask the right questions and provide tools rather than answers. This method leads to better results and enhances the participants’ sense of accomplishment.

Also, flexibility is key when it comes to planning your workshop. While having an agenda is important, adjust it as discussions evolve, allowing for deeper exploration of ideas and ensuring that everyone is on the same page.

Similarly, consider the group dynamics when dividing attendees into smaller teams. Mixing personalities and ensuring a balance of perspectives can prevent dominant voices from stifling creativity and lead to more innovative solutions.

In this episode, we dive into these essential strategies for leading a workshop that leaves a lasting impact. Drawing from years of experience, we explore practical tips to ensure your workshops are engaging, effective, and memorable for all participants.

If you listen, you will also learn the following:

• Ryan wrote a script for Broadway, and Colin is married to his stepsister. No, really.

• How to effectively manage group dynamics by balancing personality types and seniority levels.

• The importance of having a clear goal for the workshop and aligning all activities towards achieving it.

• Why off-site workshops can prevent distractions and boost creativity.

• The significance of determining the ideal team size for different workshop activities.

• Techniques to ensure follow-through on workshop outcomes back in the workplace.

• The impact of physical space on group energy and interaction during the workshop.