Facilitating with the Written Word

Why on earth would we ever want to facilitate with the written word?
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If this is your first thought, this workshop may not be for you. But perhaps there is an alternative universe where it is valuable for individuals or teams to self-organize around written instructions. How might one conceive of and create such instructions in such a world? What might some best practices be? When might it be valuable for these instructions to be precise? Vague? Playful? Verbose? Succinct? And if it is true we can facilitate with the written word, how do we go about choosing the right ones?

That’s a lot of questions. And who knows? Maybe you have some of your own. So we’ll see if we can answer a few of them in this 90-minute workshop.

Goals

• Understand the Value: Explore the benefits of using written instructions for team self-organization and communication.

• Identify Scenarios: Recognize specific contexts where written facilitation can enhance collaboration and clarity.

• Explore Best Practices: Learn effective techniques for crafting written instructions that engage and inform participants.

• Balance Clarity and Creativity: Discover how to balance precision and playfulness in writing, tailoring style to the audience and purpose.

• Develop Practical Skills: Practice writing concise, clear, and engaging instructions for various scenarios.

Key Takeaways

• Clarity Matters: Understand when precise instructions are necessary and when a more vague or playful approach might be beneficial.

• Audience Awareness: Recognize the importance of tailoring written communication to the needs and preferences of the audience.

• Iterative Process: Embrace the idea that writing can be an iterative process; encourage feedback and revisions to improve clarity and effectiveness.

• Engagement Techniques: Learn how to incorporate elements of play and creativity to make written instructions more engaging.

• Practical Tools: Walk away with frameworks for creating effective written facilitation materials.

Who Should Attend

1. Team Leaders and Managers: Those looking to improve team communication and self-organization through written instructions.

2. Facilitators and Trainers: Individuals who want to enhance their facilitation skills by incorporating effective written communication strategies.

3. Project Coordinators: Professionals who need to create clear guidelines and processes for team members.

4. Educators and Coaches: Teachers or coaches seeking to engage students or clients with written materials.

5. Content Creators: Writers and communicators interested in exploring new ways to facilitate understanding and collaboration through their work.

6. Anyone Interested in Communication: Individuals curious about the intersection of writing and facilitation, looking to improve their skills in a collaborative environment.

Overall, anyone involved in group dynamics or communication will benefit from this workshop!

Registration

Date: Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Time: 11:00 AM EDT (4:00 PM CEST)

Location: Virtual (Link will be provided upon registration)