1. It’s not about you, it’s about them! Yes it may at times feel like you’re putting on a show at the front of the room, but don’t make it about you. They have come to learn, there’s experience in the group too, so use it.

2. Great workshops have a well thought through arc, with a beginning, middle and end. Focus on these in your planning and what you want participants to get from each stage. Timings will fall into place, don’t obsess over them, let go of your inner control freak!

3. Ditch the slides, and handouts unless they add real value. If you must use slides adopt a great technique from Dr Joe Dispenza which he uses with groups of up to 2000 people. He will explain quite detailed concepts about the brain and our habits, then he says ‘now turn to your neighbour and tell them what you just heard’. This is how to embed learning.

4. Plan your closing. People obsess about the introduction, the timings, the lunch and don’t invest enough thought in the ending. What do you want people to leave with? Maybe you want to go round the room so everyone can reflect on the action they are taking away OR ask ‘what do you now know that you didn’t know when you came in?’. Do not end with details about feedback forms, or website information, close with impact.

5. Less is more. You have plenty of content, make sure you leave space for reflection, discussion, connection between individuals. This is what the group will remember. Trust that you have enough knowledge to make it great.

Extra Tips

Great read - Priya Parker’s The Art of Gathering, turn your gatherings from lacklustre and unproductive to impactful.

Great tool - cards or prompts to inspire amazing conversations, and break the usual habits, cards for an art user are amazing.

Sally Powell MA PCC is a Leadership Coach and Trainer, and co-founder of Art User. Sally is passionate about helping others to realise their full potential, and knows the power that amazing conversations can have on unlocking new perspectives and transforming lives.