We’ve all been in a session that went sideways.
Maybe one voice dominated. Or everyone stared blankly at each other. Or the meeting spiralled without reaching an outcome.
In each case, the missing ingredient probably wasn’t content. It was facilitation!
At Elev-8, we work with managers and leaders who want to run better meetings, host more engaging workshops, and guide conversations that actually go somewhere. And the biggest unlock? Understanding that facilitation isn’t about holding the mic. It’s about holding the space.
Why this matters
Good facilitation is one of the most underrated leadership skills. And one of the most powerful.
When done well, facilitation creates clarity, focus, and momentum. It encourages people to contribute. It surfaces ideas that might otherwise get missed. It holds people in the right conversation at the right time, even when things get tense.
When done badly? It creates:
- Frustration, confusion and rework
- Meetings that spiral, stall, or end with “let’s pick this up next time”
- Group dynamics where the loudest voice wins and others switch off
As one participant told us: “I realised I wasn’t hosting a discussion… I was performing. And the team could tell.”
Effective facilitators lead without dominating. They hold the purpose. They guide the energy. And they help the group do its best thinking.
A quick pulse-check
- Do your meetings often run over or get hijacked by one or two voices?
- Do you find yourself stepping in too much… or not enough?
- Have you ever left a room realising you got a result, but not true alignment?
If so, you’re not alone. These are all signs that your facilitation skills could use a sharpening.
Try this with your team – spot the dominator
Facilitation is often about noticing what’s happening under the surface, especially in group dynamics.
At your next meeting, try this:
- Write down the names of everyone in the room or on the call.
- During the discussion, put a tick next to each name every time they speak.
- At the end, check your pattern. Who dominated? Who barely spoke? Who did you assume was engaged but wasn’t?
Then ask yourself:
- Who might I need to invite in differently next time?
- How could I reframe questions or set clearer expectations to create more balance?
This kind of observational listening is a valuable skill. It helps you tune in to the room, not just the topic. And it’s the foundation of great facilitation.
Final thought – presence beats performance
The best facilitators aren’t the slickest speakers. They are the most present.
They listen with intent. They surface what’s unsaid. They challenge with care, hold boundaries with clarity, and help the group move forward.
At Elev-8, we believe facilitation is not about control. It’s about trust.
When a manager can guide a room without overpowering it, everyone in the room gets better.
Want to go deeper?
Facilitation skills is one of 30+ proven, practical sessions in our Ready to Go suite of management development topics. Built to help your managers lead with clarity, courage and confidence.
