Collecting topics at the beginning of a business strategy workshop.
A small project team selects photos which represent their perceptions of the team - a great way to start a difficult conversation.
Last preparations ahead of a virtual workshop. Are the main and the backup computer running fine? Are all apps working as they should?
Stakeholders present group exercise results. I facilitate the conversation that drives alignment.
Results, results results - after an intense strategy workshop.
Chatting with the participants of an online workshop, just before the start.
For more complex or bigger processes, I often team up with other professionals I value. Here: my colleague Joy Doreen, a famous Kenyan news anchor and conference moderator.
At the end of a workshop to introduce agile methods, the team and I close the day and give an outlook at what's happening next.
During a breakout session, a department works on internal challenges.
During a remote workshop with a leadership team, we used a virtual whiteboard to discuss and adapt the design of a post-merger change process.
A team describes and discusses their challenges with the help of LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®.
UN Undersecretary General Amandeep Gill opens a Regional Consultation Workshop which I facilitate.
The management team of the Yeesal Agri Hub Startup (Senegal) works on a new organisational / role structure, because the team has significantly grown.
This is what I look like in action, walking participants through the results of the day.
The calm before the next round: I use the lunch break of a team and planning workshop to prepare the final session.
Everyone who has worked with me knows my TimeTimer: It works like magic to self regulate the effective use of time in groups.
When things are running really smoothly during group work, I take a step back and do not interfere with the group's good energy.
A workshop with me is really a workshop: people are in motion and bring in their own ideas and passion.
I love when a startup team moves down to the ground during a workshop. It means they are fully immersed in deep conversation and forget the world around them.
An icebreaker exercise in tandems during a corporate workshop, so everybody has the chance to warm up and talk to somebody.
A small group discussion in a relaxed setting with with coffee and snacks.
Walking through the workshop script and finishing the (virtual) materials on Miro with my Kenyan Colleague Joy.
I like to work with so-called "analogue" methods: When we don't use words (too much) and rather co-create drawings or build with LEGO® bricks to raise difficult topics or when a strong alignment is key.
After finishing a virtual workshop with clients from the Asia-Pacific region, I smile into the camera: I got up at 3.30 am that day to start the workshop at 4.30 am my time...
A corporate team workshop in Rabat, before the second day starts. I am almost always the first to arrive and the last to leave at the workshop venue.
Yes, sometimes I end up organising and / or facilitating big conferences like this one in Rabat, Morocco.
Some of my preferred digital and analogue materials for working with groups.
A typical small team workshop setup.
I also love using Miro and Collaboard during in-person workshops. It's easy to read and manipulate live. And one can directly keep working on it with a distributed team, once the session is over - no need to wait for a documentation.
I take my room and tech setup for virtual workshops very seriously: A high level microphone, a quality camera, perfect light. And backup devices in case something does not work as expected.
This is me, getting back the attention of the entire room after a breakout session.
The biggest (and best equipped) venue in which I have facilitated so far: The G20 Hall in Deli, India.
When working with leaders, confidential one-on-one sessions are a must - before bringing in the team.
What powers me during a long, virtual session? Coffee, a green smoothie and water!
Yes, I have also had several Ministers in my workshops. After this particular session, we also had lunch together.
If needed, yes, I also wear a tie ;)
My box of valuables... I don't get paid by them, but NEULAND® is by far my favourite brand when it comes to workshop materials.
This is Michael, a client of mine with whom I had worked for over 2 years entirely remotely. Here we meet for the first time on Bohol, The Philippines.
The calm after a workshop is over and everyone left is particularly visible and tangible at what used to be the buffet.
A client of mine from Australia, opening a workshop on Mentoring (Why? How to?, etc.).
Small group discussions during a training: When I give trainings, it's never to much about presentations, but about "Do & Reflect" or "Reflect & Do".
Writing a card in preparation of a session.
Although I always provide a digital agenda, nothing beats a flip chart in the room, which is visible at all times for everyone.
This is during a coordination workshop between different departments who need to get better at working together.
Ready to go. Let the virtual workshop begin...
Time's up!
After two intense days, this team reflects the outcomes of their team and strategy workshop - and the way forward.