The energy you feel in a workshop stems from the efforts of the facilitator. In a previous post, I explained how to manage this. However, the facilitator also has the power to destroy the workshop’s energy. Often without realising it. Please avoid these mistakes.
1 Poor Timekeeping
Starting late sets the wrong tone. If you’re continually arriving late for sessions, everyone else will do the same. It frustrates people who have made the effort to get there on time. Plus you’re always playing catch-up. Finishing late is even worse. People hate being kept late - even for five minutes. Only finish late if you’ve asked permission from the team Never assume they’ll be OK with it. I have a golden rule. Always give time back, never take it away. Learn to be a great timekeeper. Here’s more detail on how to do this.
2 Put-downs
It’s important to keep a session light and informal. it helps people feel relaxed and enables you to build rapport. However, be careful. Be wary of:
a) Criticising ideas. It requires bravery for someone to suggest something new and different. Plus we need a high volume of ideas to find the gems. Criticising ideas recklessly is dangerous. Some people may rise to the challenge, but most will start to clam up. They’ll stop engaging.
Of course, providing honest feedback on ideas is important, but make sure it’s done in a way that’s balanced, helpful, and constructive.
b) Criticising people. Off-the-cuff comments about people’s appearance, voice, habits, etc may be meant as light-hearted banter but it can easily backfire. Even if you feel you know them really well. Just don’t do it. Make fun of yourself for sure, but be sensitive about picking on people.
3 Too much listening time
People can’t sit still or in silence for very long. Make sure that presentations are short and engaging. If you’re using slides, observe the Five Golden Rules of Powerpoint. Encourage interaction via discussion and feedback. Keep asking questions. Keep your interventions short and sharp. Don’t indulge in long-winded stories. Otherwise, people will start getting twitchy.
4 Ignoring the energy in the room
Always be sensitive to the energy in the room. Listen to the buzz of conversation. Observe the body language. If it’s going well, keep going. If it’s starting to flag do something about it. Improvise.
There are lots you can do. Call an unscheduled break. Do an energiser. Get some fresh air. Cut short an exercise. Move on to a new exercise. Hand out chocolates. Stay tuned in and be nimble.
5 Your own energy
The facilitator sets the tone of a session Be aware of your own energy. If you feel your energy starts to drop, do something about it. Stand up. Move around. Stretch. Give yourself a talking to. Drink coffee. Eat sweets. Whatever it takes.
You can collapse after the session’s over, but as a facilitator, you’re on show. The more you give, the more you get back. If your energy and enthusiasm dips, so will everyone else’s
So to summarise
The energy of a workshop is in your hands. As a facilitator, you’ve got the power. You can generate energy in the session. Equally, watch out for these energy killers. Don’t let all your good intentions go to waste.