065 - How to stay on track while going off script with Rebecca Sutherns

A workshop that goes exactly to plan is a workshop that exists in our dreams. The unexpected isn’t something we should be afraid of – fantastic ideas and outcomes can come from the moments we don’t see coming (and can never plan for) – but being prepared to adjust to the whim of the room is a vital skill for effective facilitation. But what do we need to learn – and unlearn – if we want to become adaptive, Nimble Facilitators? Rebecca Sutherns is the author of Nimble: A Coaching Guide for Responsive Facilitation and she joins me in this episode of workshops work to share the secrets of holding onto our plans a little more loosely.  Find out about: • Why being Nimble is proving to be just as essential in virtual spaces as it is in on-site settings • What the sweet spot of preparation looks like and how to find yours • Why inner work is the foundation of growth, change, and progress • How to balance the needs and requirements of your client, your group, and yourself • How to strengthen your decision-making muscles Don’t miss the next show: Subscribe to the show with your favourite podcast player. A huge thank you must go to SessionLab, the sponsor of Workshops Work. Claim your free two months of SessionLab Pro now – this deal is exclusive to Workshops Work listeners!   Questions and Answers [01:11] When did you start calling yourself a facilitator? [05:43] What is the story behind Nimble Facilitation and why did you write this book? [07:51] What is the core skill for Nimble Facilitation? [13:55] How do you manage clients who require a lot of detail and structure? [19:55] How do you close sessions to synchronise everyone’s takeaways? [25:34] Have you found it is harder to be Nimble in virtual workshops? [31:40] How will what we’ve learned from virtual workshops influence our future on-site workshops? [41:02] What makes a workshop fail, and is the answer different for virtual workshops? [47:14] What’s your favourite exercise? [49:55] Is there anything you wanted to mention that we haven’t touched upon yet? [55:36] What is the one thing you want listeners to take away from this show? Links · Nimble: A Coaching Guide for Responsive Facilitation · Collaborative Planning to Make Wiser Decisions Faster (Video)  Connect to Rebecca · Rebecca’s website · Rebecca’s Twitter · Rebecca’s LinkedIn Any thoughts? Share them with us! Support the show ✨✨✨ If you miss the "workshops work" podcast, join us on Substack, where Myriam builds a Podcast Club with monthly gatherings around old episodes: https://myriamhadnes.substack.com/