6 Facilitation Secrets You’ll Be Shocked to Hear

By /
March 2022:

Barefoot Facilitation was founded in 2008 and over the years we’ve picked up tons of tips and tricks to add to our facilitation toolbox and boost engagement.

Here are 6 of our top “facilitation secrets” that will help you shine as a facilitator during your next team meeting or group conversation:
  • Ask: “What questions do you have?” versus “Do you have any questions?” to boost engagement. Asking “do you…” generally prompts a yes or no answer, while asking “what…” helps with reflection and expands the dialogue!

  • Draw a map of the room, including the location of chairs and tables in advance. Write participants’ names as you learn them next to their chair for easy reference. You’ll look like a pro at remembering names!
Photo by Edwin Andrade
  • Use a light pencil to print tiny reminder notes to yourself in the upper corner of the paper on a flip chart stand – just big enough for you to see only!

  • Make note of the time frequently. Whenever you’re hosting a lengthy session, mention the time or give time-frames frequently. It will help participants stay grounded and keep attention to the flow, without focusing on their watches!
  • While in PowerPoint mode, press the B key to make the screen go BLACK or the W key to make the screen go WHITE. Pressing any key will then return your screen. Use this secret to focus participants on you and your message, versus the screen!

  • Tear off several small pieces of masking tape and stick them on the back side of your flip chart stand or on the edge of a table. Now you’re ready to post paper on the wall – whenever needed!
Photo by airfocus
Learn a new facilitation trick? How many of these tips did you already know? Tag us on social media with how you plan to use these tricks to step up your facilitation game, or with some secrets of your own that could help aspiring facilitators!

The Barefoot Facilitation Team