You’ve signed up for that workshop or webinar. You’ve carved out time to go or may have cleared your busy schedule. You’re interested in the topic and can’t wait to learn more. Annnnd roll tape. You come away feeling frustrated, deflated and with a sense you wasted your … [Read more...] about The surprising reason workshops and webinars tend to suck, it is not what you think
As the door banged open, announcing a late arrival, the instructor motioned us to do what he’d asked us. The sound of 100 feet shuffled as we, other students already in class, got up, turned around and pointed at the now shocked student. “You’re late!” chimed 100 voices. Yes, you read that … [Read more...] about Leave no one behind
We all know that working together, solving problems innovatively and experiential learning is fun and rewarding for any organization, but have we realized that playing games and using our hands when building pathways, structures, and solutions will create better end products and services? That … [Read more...] about Get with the game, the Makusudi/Purpose game
What’s your tolerance for ambiguity? How comfortable are you with not knowing? With operating in that gray fuzzy space of uncertainty? And related to this, how high is your need for closure, your need for certainty, for knowing? Until I’d read Jamie Holmes’ excellent book … [Read more...] about What’s your tolerance for ambiguity? (And why it’s key to know)
Have you been called to give a workshop, a presentation, to teach a colleague and/or informally instruct? As a result, are you feeling scared, overwhelmed, nervous, and/or not sure where to start? Don’t worry, I’ve got your back. Designing and delivering workshops can be a hair raising … [Read more...] about How to Create Workshops that Work
Being embarrassed to ask a question can have disastrous consequences. Think sex ed, health issues, politics or any other hot topic. Not feeling free to ask questions can lead to a flood of misinformation and dangerous behaviour that spreads. Years ago, at a drug and alcohol workshop for … [Read more...] about A primer for creating a safe space for sensitive questions
Draw a letter E on your forehead with your finger. Seriously. Right now. Did you draw it so that you could read it (from your orientation) or that someone else, someone looking at you could read it (which is called ‘other orientation’)? This is a quick way of looking at leadership … [Read more...] about Your how-to for building a vibrant learning culture (brought to you by the letter E)
You’ve got hard won subject matter expertise. You’re set on changing the world (or your corner of it). You’re keen to share your wisdom with the world but you’re afraid of falling into the trap of creating a workshop that: Is boringIs nothing much more than a lectureDoesn’t engage your … [Read more...] about How to make your workshops not suck in three easy steps
The pressure’s on. It’s a new year which likely means a new and never-ending to do list right? Wrong. We focus wayyyy too much on our to do’s and not enough on our to don’ts. Let me explain. When was the last time you took something OFF your plate of to … [Read more...] about Want more breathing space? Ramp up with this easy ‘ta da’ technique
