Free Facilitation Course: Simple tips for less terrible meetings
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Introduction

Meet your coach
What you won't learn
The three big meeting problems we'll tackle
The seven tricks I'll teach you
When did I write this course?
1. Setup roles and rules so that it feels like a game

Introduction
Set the time keeper role or bad cop
Set the caring parent role or good cop
Set minimal rules and make people agree to them personally
Remember this
2. Define a time limit per topic to ensure you end up on time

Introduction
Realize that you have less time than planned
Set a buffer time
Set a visible timer for each topic
Remember this
3. Use sticky notes to show where the discussion is

Introduction
Put sticky notes on a wall and use them to build clarity
Use one sticky note per idea, group it and move it
Write in an easy to read way
Remember this
4. Create a parking space for new ideas and off topic elements

Introduction
Make the parking visible and tell the story
Have time? Review the parking at the end
In a rush? Add categories in your parking
Remember this
5. Use votes to not talk for hours about what's already obvious

Introduction
Give multiple dots to vote and make it fun
Use faith or another culturally relevant voting criteria
Use multiple rounds of votes for complex decisions
Remember this
6. Make people work in smaller groups and then share the summary

Introduction
Split for discussion and join for sharing
Make groups of no more than 4
Give a clear challenge, a clear timing and a clear end result
Remember this
7. Separate the mindsets to make it less confusing

Introduction
Separate coming up with ideas and deciding
Separate the criteria when deciding
Mark the separation of mindsets
Remember this
What you learned and how to make it stick

Introduction
Review the summary and the one thing to remember
Learn by teaching
Make a plan
End notes

Introduction
Thank you note
License

Review the summary and the one thing to remember

An illustration of a person reviewing ideas

Repeating the same information over and over, is a very simple way to make that information stick in our brain. So that's what we'll do here by summarizing all the key ideas we discovered together.

The down to earth tips

You learned very down to earth and practical tips to make your meetings less terrible. Let's review them:

Setup roles and rules so that the meeting feels like a game
Define a time limit per topic to ensure you end up on time
Use sticky notes to show where the discussion is
Use votes to not talk for hours about what's already obvious
Create a parking space for new ideas and off topic element
Make people work in smaller groups and then share a summary
Separate the mindsets to make it less confusing

These are all tips you can use already in your next meeting!

If you have to remember one thing, remember this

If you think: "My God, that was a lot of information", no problem I have a solution for you. Let me give you the one tip that has the biggest impact:

Prepare your next meeting with time in mind: remember that you have less time than what you think because of the introduction, conclusion and break time. Define how much time you'll need by topic and use a timer to stick to it. And finally remember to put a bit of buffer time to be relaxed.

As I want this tip to stick really in your brain, I will repeat it now a few times so that you can be sure you'll remember it for the rest of your life. Ready?

You should prepare your next meeting with time in mind!

What was that again?

Prepare your next meeting with time in mind!

One more time?

Seriously, prepare your next meeting with time in mind!