Unprofessionalism

Bringing her childhood dream to life is Josie White, the hot air balloon pilot. From an early obsession with their magical, multi-coloured domes, to a fully-fledged pilot, Josie now flies and facilitates passengers 2000 feet up in the air over Australian soil.But when nerves naturally start to run high in a small, floating basket, and fear manifests in a multitude of ways, reading the room to regulate passenger emotions is mission-critical to a successful flight.Josie shares how she guides her groups with calm authority, ensuring that everyone feels safe, reassured and present, all while piloting the balloon! A special conversation with plenty of fascinating and unexpected on-the-ground facilitation learnings, from up high in the clouds.Find out about:What facilitation looks like up to 4000 feat up in the airWhy reading body language is so critical for a successful flightThe importance of Josie regulating her emotions, to help regulate her passengersWhat facilitators can learn about the pre-flight checks, planning and preparationDon’t miss the next episode: subscribe to the show with your favourite podcast player.Links:Watch the video recording of this episode on YouTube.Connect to Josie White:InstagramAny 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/

Corporate training, we all know the drill. The tonedeaf PowerPoint karaoke begins in the background, regurgitating slide content word for word, as you absentmindedly reply to an email…your mind still lingering in your last meeting. If episode 337 can do just one thing, I hope it can save you from ever having to sit through another training session like it! After running hundreds of workshops for multinational companies, I thought it was about time I shared my secrets.Join me, myself and I, as we explore the anatomy of engaging, co-created training sessions that not only pique curiosity, but bridge hierarchies, timezones and departments, and gets everyone out of their inbox, and back into the room. It’s time to close your tabs, stretch your bodies, and get present!What’s inherently wrong with corporate training – and why it’s so often a wasted opportunityMy tips for connecting participants to the present moment, and to each otherHow to design a workshop to ensure participants retain the content and apply what they’ve learnedHow to scale training with local relevance, dynamic learning, and cultural insights at its heartWhy naming the elephant in the room can help to overcome any awkwardness  Don’t miss the next episode: subscribe to the show with your favourite podcast player.Links:Watch the video recording of this episode on YouTube.Connect to Myriam Hadnes:LinkedInWebsiteAny 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/

How do you teach facilitators to hold a group, master that crucial first 15-minutes of a workshop, and show them that they already have all the answers, without giving any away?As a researcher by nature, and a facilitator – at first by accident – Julia Slay learnt everything she knows about the craft by teaching it. She now helps bright, budding facilitators to build confidence, find their voice, and discover their learning edges in Facilitation 101.We unravel the layers of holding just the right amount of space, as part facilitator, part coach, part trainer and part consultant, all rolled happily into one: from managing difficult characters with curiosity, to trusting yourself to stay present – even when the plan falls apart! Julia shares lots of practical strategies, tips and anecdotes from her 15-year facilitation journey, from the Mayor of London’s office, to her work today. Enjoy!Find out about:The art of asking a powerful, open question at the right timeHow to navigate power dynamics of seniority in groupsWhy ‘advice is theft’ – and the detriment of offering a solution to the group too soonHow to approach dominant characters without creating collective tensionThe intersection of facilitation and coaching – and what it means to facilitate like a coachDon’t miss the next episode: subscribe to the show with your favourite podcast player.Links:Watch the video recording of this episode on YouTube.Connect to Julia Slay:LinkedInWebsite Use code TASTER10 to receive 10% off Facilitation 101: Fundamentals, Masterclass, Intensive, and Self-Paced course when you sign up on Julia’s website.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/

Leadership facilitator and coach Rebecca Hopkins, known for her insightful approach to emotional complexities, shares her thoughts on navigating grief and fostering healthy feedback cultures. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity and personal growth in facilitation. Rebecca explores how to create brave spaces for open dialogue, discussing the messy emotions that come with being human. The conversation dives into adapting to rapid tech changes and the significance of prioritizing personal desires over societal expectations, promoting a journey of self-discovery.

Friday night card game clash, or shareholder dispute – at its core, all conflict is the same.Ursula Taylor has seen time and time again, from the court room, to the board room, that every conflict is created and perpetuated from unprocessed human emotion. From litigation attorney, to conflict consultant, she now helps leaders and teams turn conflict into opportunity. By transmuting the infectious, emotionally-charged energy of shame, fear or distrust – softer, more grounded energy can take its place, clearing the path to resolution.Ursula shares stories from her legal days, and the learnings we can all apply to our daily lives to do conflict better – as leaders, facilitators, and most of all, humans. Find out about:Why Ursula believes conflict isn’t inherently bad, but rather an opportunityConflict learnings from litigation we can apply to facilitation – and lifeRecognising the emotional energies that arise, and re-tuning them into clarity, rational decisions and resolutionWhy the unprocessed emotions of fear, shame and distrust are the true source of conflictWhy successful transformation doesn’t always require both conflicting parties to agreeDon’t miss the next episode: subscribe to the show with your favourite podcast player.Links:Watch the video recording of this episode on YouTube.Connect to Ursula Taylor:LinkedInWebsiteAny 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/

A Mary Poppins’ bag of glitter, a big beating drum, a lump of clay, and a shiny gold crown. Bringing her wonderful, precious collection of props to the show, is the brilliant Paula Short.As a personal development psychotherapist, talented actress, and the founder of a 1997 youth centre, facilitation has been a guiding constant in Paula’s life and work. Now as a self-exploration retreat host, she facilitates deep transformation through the expressive arts, helping people to welcome unchartered emotions without shame.We explore how donning the cloak of the villain in a fictional story can become an embodied breakthrough, why the collective support of the group can be liquid gold, and why Paula has such an issue with tissues.A special, heartfelt conversation – join us!Find out about:How roleplay, costumes and props can help us to access buried feelings and emotionsThe importance of letting emotions free-flow without interruption, or ‘tidying’ them awayHow Paula create safe containers for self-exploration through playNavigating our trauma responses, and why we must learn to trust our own vulnerabilities  Normalising say ‘no’ – and why doing so gives us autonomy, helps us reconnect to our boundaries, and signals emotional safety to othersDon’t miss the next episode: subscribe to the show with your favourite podcast player.Links:Watch the video recording of this episode on YouTube.Connect to Paula Short:LinkedInWebsiteAny 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/

Emanuele Mazzanti, a facilitator at EY and passionate energy-giver, dives into the heart of human connection in corporate settings. He argues that fostering emotional presence can enhance performance and decision-making. Emanuele emphasizes the importance of authenticity, vulnerability, and playful interactions among leaders. Transforming client interactions from rigid presentations to engaging conversations is crucial. His philosophy champions connection over content, reminding us that profound transformation stems from simple, genuine human moments.

Dr. Ben Levy, a psychologist, magician, and founder of Magic Lessons, shares his unique approach to blending magic with education. He explains how magic can spark curiosity and deep learning through his ABC ME framework: Ability, Belief, Clarity, Motivation, and Environment. Ben explores the power dynamics of performance and the importance of belief in communication, emphasizing how a little awe can transform educational experiences. He invites listeners to embrace questions and the unexpected, presenting learning as a magical journey.

Dreaded conversations often hold the key to personal growth. There’s a high cost to avoiding them, but embracing these discussions can foster stronger relationships. Tune into your emotions to better understand the stakes involved. Recognizing your assumptions can pave the way for clarity. Creating a safe environment encourages curiosity and compassion, which are essential in navigating conflicts. Sharing boundaries transparently can lead to mutual respect, transforming challenging dialogues into opportunities for connection!

Chedva Ludmir, a public speaker and serial entrepreneur, sheds light on the power of curiosity and deep listening. She emphasizes the importance of asking gentle, gateway questions that foster honest conversations. Chedva discusses navigating uncertainty and how fiction can help tackle sensitive topics. She also shares her unique perspective on personal identity within Orthodox Judaism and the balance between community norms and individual choices. Discover how being present in discussions can lead to richer insights and transformative moments.