workshops work

Have we forgotten how to play? Applied play theorist, strategist, and consultant Minna Taylor, certainly thinks so!

As an actor and theatrical voice coach in a past life, Minna has made it her life’s purpose to invite creative expression, deliberate play, and the power of surrender into people’s lives. She now helps organisations to excel in the infinite game of work, showing them that play is not the pursuit of frivolity, but the spaciousness to think, to create, to adapt, and exist with ease.

Minna brings beautiful, articulate thoughts, intelligence and effervescence to some big ideas: from psychedelics to psychological safety, the industrial revolution, to decentralising your ego. What a joy to speak with her!

Find out about:

• The multi-layered notions of play - and its misconceptions
• Why play is both the absence of control and the opposite of performance
• The need for play in the corporate world
• Why we must dismantle belief systems in society to make space for play
• The importance of embedding learning into an organisation with integrity and intent

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Links:

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Connect to Minna Taylor:

Linkedin

Website

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A conversation is a delicate dance between two people. From one to the other, stories slowly unravel, surprises are met, ideas come to life, and life is learnt as words flow freely between us. But to make a conversation great, we must relish the silences, the questions, and the spaces in between - because it is only with curiosity and presence that we can take the conversation to places we never imagined.

This week, I am in conversation with me, myself, and I for a special solo episode on the lost art of conversation. As a facilitator, podcast host and experienced conversation partner, I share my wisdoms, tips, non-negotiables, and ingredients for a great conversation.

I hope the irony is not lost on you!

Find out about:

• My 3 rules for effective question asking
• Why the follow-up question is the most important question of all
• The beautiful importance of silence in conversations
• The power of the word ‘and’ to open the door to a new perspective
• Why do we stop having great conversations with our loved ones?

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Links:

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Connect to Myriam Hadnes:

LinkedIn

Website

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Corporate training doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, it can be playful, curious, a little bit magical, and dare I say it - fun. And this week I am joined by the creative magic of not one, but two brilliant guests who are here to tell you how: Simon Edwards and Ian Byrne.

Hailing from the worlds of game design and facilitation, we delve deep into the wondrous realm of learning in all of its curious, human forms. Together, they share the eureka moments of their immersive experiences, the evolution of leadership in L&D, why ancient Vipassana meditation has the power to overcome ego, and the art of giving radical candor.

Tune in and get ready to learn!

Find out about:

• The two halves of an organisation: the informal and the formal
• The role and limitations of AI in organizational change, learning and facilitation
• Recognising the cultural differences of engagement
• Action learning: how to turn theoretical learning into reality
• What we can learn from neurodivergent thinking
• The power of pausing to listen to your body

Don’t miss the next episode: subscribe to the show with your favourite podcast player.

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Links:

Watch the video recording of this episode on YouTube.

Connect to Simon and Ian:

https://mindblown.io/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindblown-adventures/

https://www.facebook.com/MindBlown.io

https://www.instagram.com/mindblown.io/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-edwards-93312318/
https://living-systems.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/icbyrne/

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Defiant slowness: it’s a salve, a rebellion, and a lifelong endeavour when we have been taught to live fast, 100mph lives. Because only when we turn down the speedometer, can we be present enough to think deeply, connect to ourselves, bond with others, and experience the joys of simply being.

It’s why Marike and Clinton relish slowness in their facilitation practice, carving out interludes that delight in the details, welcome appreciation into the room, nurture real relationships, and create the breathing space for intention.

We explore the beautiful macrocosm of slowing down in episode 286. Woven with wonderful stories, aha! moments and words you will want to press pause upon, Marike and Clinton bring a rich, eloquent perspective to facilitating with thought.

Find out about:

• Why slowing down can help us to be more thoughtful, purposeful and connected
• How to address difficult participant behaviours with curiosity, rather than judgment
• Why genuine, deep relationships often comes at the price of discomfort
• The importance of delighting in the details, both inside and beyond the workshop space

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Links:

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Connect to Marike and Clinton:

Marike Groenewald

Clinton du Preez

Website

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As the old adage goes, failing to prepare, is preparing to fail. But how do you prepare for something as catastrophic as a natural disaster?

Scott Winter helps people, teams and organisations to struggle more effectively and step into their greatness. He’s done so for communities in California to recover from the devastation of wildfires, as well as countless others, showing up with life-affirming purpose, humanity and presence as a facilitator, to re-mould stress into hardy resilience for the future.

In this brilliant and vulnerable conversation, he shares his work in co-regulating mindsets, how to make it easy to talk about difficult things, and why with the right tools, every experience can be turned into a learning opportunity.

Find out about:

• How to create safe spaces that address high-stress situations with rationality
• The three Rs of resilience: Readiness, Response, and Recovery
• The art and science of asking questions
• Learn about the Red Zone, Green Zone, Pink Zone framework
• Difficultating: how to facilitate difficult conversations
• How to mindfully embrace triggers in others
• The importance of asking: what do we not want to take into the room?

Don’t miss the next episode: subscribe to the show with your favourite podcast player.

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Links:

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Connect to Scott Winter:

LinkedIn

Website

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The relationships in our life are a lot like gardens: they need watering, a little pruning here and there, some de-weeding, and a whole lot of love! But what about the people we spend most of our time with?

Our co-workers are often overlooked in the garden of relationships, but it’s one that requires just as much time, care and attention as any other. Enter: the biggest mischief maker, Emily Hinks!

Firm in the belief that the world of work could do with more joy, she helps people to connect, collaborate and create company cultures to be proud of, in playful and energising ways. She generously shares her mischievous ways with us, her experience with the likes of Netflix, and how she facilitates richer human connection in the new era of work.

Press play and spend a joyful hour with Emily!

Find out about:

• The ROI of human connection at work and its role in building company culture
• The importance of connecting teams to company values in contextual ways
• Why the post-pandemic workplace needs facilitation to nurture digital connections
• How to host meetings more effectively as a non-facilitator
• Emily’s small but mighty hacks for elevating every voice in a meeting

Don’t miss the next episode: subscribe to the show with your favourite podcast player.

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Links:

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Connect to Emily Hinks:

LinkedIn

Website

www.emilyhinks.com
www.mischiefmakers.com
www.routesin.com

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In the autumn of 1996 in Palo Alto, Dan Newman had a career-defining epiphany: facilitation is playing other people’s games with your own rules. It’s something that has stayed with him on his journey from consultant to facilitator, as he solves complex organisational problems by asking: how are their rules preventing them from winning?

We cover a lot of ground from Dan’s storied career in this brilliant conversation, dancing from the debate of the neutral facilitator, to cultural communication traits, the psychology of music, and why he will happily fine his clients for breaking the rules!

Full to the brim with facilitation lessons to learn, try and apply yourself.

Find out about:

• Tips, insights and anecdotes from Dan’s nearly 30 year career
• The key differences between the role of the facilitator and the consultant
• How to rebuild people’s ‘finite games’ into ‘infinite games’, with a positive-sum outcome
• How to use Dave Snowden’s Cynefin framework to aid decision-making and de-complexify problems
• How to take a company out of their culture to see new perspectives

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Dan’s Book

Connect to Dan Newman:

LinkedIn

Website

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We are all bodily beings. You do not have a body, you are your wise, sense-making, intuitive, feeling body! And yet, modernity has found itself in a disembodied state; we live in the mind and merely exist in a body.

Mark Walsh, the embodiment anti-guru, is here to reconnect the mind-body divide and bring us back home. He’s trained local NGOs in conflict zones, taught meditation to soldiers, and even has a black belt in aikido, helping organisations and coaches to work with the body to rediscover its intelligence. 

It’s a delight to share Mark’s beautiful and vital work with you all - join us for an hour of embodied wisdom, neuroscience and powerful facilitation tips - free from woo-woo. 

Find out about:

• What embodiment is and how we can relearn it
• How to integrate embodiment practices into facilitation, for a richer experience
• The role of Aikido in peacebuilding, trauma work and facilitation
• Learn about the practical state regulation technique of ‘centring’
• How we can read a room through an embodied assessment
• Why we need to use more exact language for terms like ‘energy’ and ‘holding space’

Don’t miss the next episode: subscribe to the show with your favourite podcast player.

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Links:

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Top 12 Embodiment Coaching Techniques

Connect to Mark Walsh:

LinkedIn

Website

Instagram

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As my guest this week will tell you: to avoid a difficult conversation, is to choose the path of least resistance. But when leaders choose the easy way out? Nothing good ever comes from it; only rising frustrations, anxieties, and eventually, resignations.

Luckily for us, Paul Falcone has had every difficult conversation in the book - and he’s written 17 of them! A three-decade career in HR, a stint as a Universal Studios tour guide grappling with grumpy guests, and now a workplace leadership consultant, Paul has learnt to master workplace friction with grace, empathy and a helping of storytelling. The secret? Facilitation, of course!

Find out how to become a more vulnerable, self-aware manager, why we must reframe resistance, and the art of leading with an iron fist and a velvet glove.

Find out about:

• How to approach confrontation with empathy, encouragement and motivation
• Why mindset, skillset and self-care are vital for effective leadership
• How to handle difficult managers through considered, non-violent communication
• The importance of building your front-line leadership muscle
• The ROI of raising your team’s awareness

Don’t miss the next episode: subscribe to the show with your favourite podcast player.

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Links:

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Connect to Paul Falcone:

LinkedIn 

Website

Amazon Author Page

HarperCollins Leadership Author Page

YouTube Channel

Support the show

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Click here to navigate through all episodes via this interactive podcast map.
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Are you inspired by our podcast guests and crave a taste of masterfully facilitated workshops? Join the NeverDoneBefore Facilitation Festival.
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Every leader has it in them to be a coach, if only they could stay curious a little longer. This was something Michael Bungay Stanier learnt early on as a youth crisis telephone hotline operator: the first answer is rarely the only answer.

Better known for penning the #1 bestseller The Coaching Habit, a book that has found its way into the lives of over 1 million people, Michael’s coaching work is deeply considered, with a reverence for the gloriously messy complexities of human behaviour. It’s a delicate dance of presence, in and out of the spotlight, and thoughtful manipulation to get the best out of people.

It was a real treat to talk to Michael this week! Episode 280 is full to the brim with wisdoms, tips, tricks and anecdotes from the coaching king, on how we can all become better leaders.

Find out about:

• How to lead like a coach, helping your team to be more autonomous
• Why leaders should stay curious for longer, holding back on advice
• The body language and actionable tools that you can use to promote group agency
• The power of starting questions with ‘what’ rather than ‘how’
• Relational curiosity: how to stay curious about who people are
• How coaching can help redistributing power and status to others

Don’t miss the next episode: subscribe to the show with your favourite podcast player.

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Links:

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Connect to Michael Bungay Stanier:

MBS.works

bestpossiblerelationship.com

thecoachinghabit.com

Support the show

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Are you inspired by our podcast guests and crave a taste of masterfully facilitated workshops? Join the NeverDoneBefore Facilitation Festival.
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