workshops work
Welcome to “workshops work,” the podcast that transforms how professionals engage, inspire, and lead groups. Hosted by Dr Myriam Hadnes, a behavioural economist and facilitation evangelist, each episode dives into facilitation techniques and mindsets that make workshops successful.
Join us every week as we sit down with world-renowned facilitators and uncover their secrets to creating psychological safety, fostering collaboration, and sparking innovation. Whether you’re a Facilitator, L&D professional, HR leader, manager, coach or trainer, you’ll find practical tips, inspiring stories, and actionable insights to elevate your group dynamics.
From navigating conflict to unlocking creativity, “workshops work” blends theory with practice, ensuring you walk away with tools you can immediately apply. Dr Myriam Hadnes doesn’t just interview; she facilitates enriching conversations that shift perspectives and deepen understanding.
Let’s democratise facilitation, one workshop at a time.
Subscribe now and make your workshops work, every time.
Visit https://workshops.work/podcast for a free 1-page summary of each episode.
workshops work
001 - Getting it Right by Starting it Right. The Power of Connection - with Patrick Cowden
In this episode, I talk to Patrick Cowden, founder of Beyond Leadership, an agency that helps organizations to unleash their full potential. By introducing a new way of leadership, Patrick empowers organizations to master future challenges.
Patrick is a book author, TEDx speaker and enhancer of collaboration. In this episode, we talk about the importance of human connection in workshops. Patricks shares how facilitators can change the game and deal with egos and politics by kicking off working sessions with a simple check-in exercise.
Don’t miss the hands-on advice, tips and tricks and Patrick’s energy that will spill over and inspire you to deliver workshops that work.
Click here to download the free 1-page summary
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Feeling inspired by the conversation in this episode? We can have our own - take a seat at my virtual table as part of a Mastermind Group.
Questions and Answers
[1:38] What is wrong with the way we gather professionally at work?
[4:08] What can we do to combine joy and results in meetings and workshops?
[8:06] Can we achieve the same results when we meet remotely?
[14:45] How can we create human connection in workshops?
[17:20] Can you explain how the “connect exercise” works?
[23:19] To what extend do you explain why you are doing specific exercises? Do you achieve the same results when you do the connect exercise in 3 minutes versus 30 seconds?
[28:11] How do you shift from the connection exercise to the “real” business-related topic of the meeting?
[33:45] How can you assure sustainable results of your intervention?
[35:13] Can you adjust the “connect exercise” to other topics without compromising the effect?
[38:19] What is your advice to facilitators to achieve results, foster connection and fight egos?
Related links you may want to check out:
- Patrick’s organisation: http://www.thebeyond.company
- Patrick’s Book “Neustart”
- Muhammad Yunus, founder of Grameen Bank and Nobel laureate
- From my desk on the value of check-ins: “You need one key to make meetings successful”
- Our sponsor Session Lab (affiliate link)
Connect to Patrick:
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If you're keen to master the art of facilitation, discover our expert-led live, online Facilitation Courses at the NDB Academy.
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