The Art of Facilitationhow to make meetings not suck

A Quick Introduction

What is Facilitation?This is you. And me!

Meow.

images from The Agile Samurai by Jonathan Rasmusson

the shared pool of understanding

Before Your Meeting

Agenda, yo

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Prepare!

The purpose of this meeting is…The goal of this meeting is...

Know the room layoutKnow the facilities

to

Choose your meeting size, wisely

During Your Meeting

Here are the basics I assume you’re already doing:● Starting on time● Setting some ground rules● Explaining what your meeting is going to cover● Sticking to your agenda● Recording as you go● Finishing on time or even early● Using a facilitator (haaay!)

So, let’s talk about your meeting

You are The Facilitator:● You don’t need to find a solution● Know the arc● State the obvious● Be crisp● Let the group work it out● Speak or speak not

Know Thyself

Read the people in the room:

or not?

Part One: Bring the Politeness● “Can you guys take this offline?”● “Do we have to find a solution for this right now?”

— (alternate) “Are we solutioning?”● “Is this something you two / three / guys can talk about later?”● (finger in the air)● (volleyball sideout)● (draw circles)● “Ok, time check. We have n minutes left.”● Use humor and/or self-deprecation

Don’t be afraid to keep things moving along

Part Two: Bring the Heavyi.e., what you can do when someone’s sucking all the oxygen out of the room

● Use the physical space● Use yourself: be The Heavy● Use a deadline● Use your team

— Secret signals— The Nod / The Blink

● Artificial deadline● Use props

Don’t be afraid to keep things moving along

— Soccer cards— Group chat on your phones

● Use humor

● It’s not about you - no ego!

● Watch the clock

● End on a positive note

Other Things to Remember

Tools!

the rambler

the thin-skinned

the catalyst

the creative

the team player

the peacemaker

the visionary

the superstar

the latecomerthe negator

the interruptor the-Steve-Jobs:

you-are-dismissed

the meeting hog

the gorilla in the room

the social networker

the unprepared

the quiet one

the multitasker

the leader

� learn to type fast

� learn to write fast (and legibly)

� learn your keyboard shortcuts

� amp it up a little

nice to have’s

After Your Meeting

What do I do now?

● Publish your decisions— For clarity— CYA

● Schedule follow-ups● Rinse and repeat

— Develop a reputation as someone who can own a meeting— and people will want to work with you

● and...

● If it was helpful, say so● Thank people for their time● Keep it positive

End on a positive note