facilitation excellence.

framework overview.

Mindset

We carry our own set of values, preferences, habits, triggers, biases, and insecurities. The abilities to act in alignment with our own values and manage our own negative internal voices (or self-talk), allows facilitative leaders to show up at their best, set a productive environment, and serve the needs of the group.

Content

Subject Matter and Context are the two buckets of information that fuel successful conversations. They are important, of course, and tend to be what people focus on most before a big meeting or presentation. Content competence gives one permission to play. But remember, by themselves, these two contributions only make up 1/6th of the conversation framework.

Process

The rest of the framework addresses conversation process, and as that implies, we believe that most conversations succeed or fail based on the quality of their process. For example, a person’s credibility will be determined as much by how they physically Establish Presence with their body, voice, and words, as by what they say. Great facilitative leaders Listen with Empathy before (and more than) they speak; they Balance Risk and Safety by calibrating how much and when to challenge others and when to focus on providing safety and comfort. Contributions are often felt in their absence — meetings often suffer from a lack of Keeping and Track or Adapting for Impact

A circular diagram titled 'Facilitation Excellence' divided into sections labeled 'Mindset', 'Content', and 'Process'. The sections contain various phrases related to coaching or leadership, including 'Support Development', 'Balance Risk and Safety', 'Share Subject Matter', and 'Listen'.

How to Drive Impact, Build Relationships, and Lead with Influence

Excellent facilitators make deliberate behavioral choices that foster trust, connection, growth, and goal achievement. 

We call these choices “contributions,” and they fall into three categories: mindset, content, and process.. When all the contributions are employed skillfully, people may not consciously recognize why, but they feel more productive, trusting, and valued.

Our Facilitation Excellence programming elevates a leader’s impact by strengthening the multipurpose skills essential for master facilitation.  

Modular Framework for Leaders of Excellence.

  • Manage Yourself.

    Aware of inner voice and creates more supportive thinking when needed.

  • Model Values & Beliefs.

    Aligns actions and words with principles.

  • Share Subject Matter .

    (Best combined with Engage with Story) Displays expert knowledge and relates content to audience priorities.

  • Suit the Context.

    (Best combined with presence, story, purpose) Demonstrates an understanding of group history, norms and culture.

  • Establish Presence.

    Confidently hold the space with credibility, patience, humility, and authenticity.

  • Engage with Story.

    Enlivens interactions and makes meaning with anecdotes and strong narratives.

  • Listen.

    Seeks to connect deeply with others, hearing both the spoken and unspoken, and supporting them where they are.

  • Keep on track.

    Balances forward movement with depth of process.

  • Adapt for impact.

    Accepts and builds with whatever exists in the moment.

  • Balance Risk & Safety.

    Provides the right level of support and challenge to the individual and group.

  • Support Development.

    Provides insights and opportunities for individual and group growth.

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