Julia Slay

A quick download on choices you make as a facilitator about room set up. I recently ran an in person facilitation training at a client’s venue, and when I arrived the room was set up boardroom style (see picture 1 below). We quickly changed it around to a horseshoe (next photo!) and moved between this and a closed circle throughout the day.

We had an interesting discussion as a group part way through the training about the choice of room layout. Some of the reflections people shared were:

⭕ ‘A circle feels more vulnerable’
⭕‘I’ve got nothing to hide behind’
⭕ ‘It means we can move about more’
⭕ ‘It means I pay more attention’

These are some of the reasons why I often prefer setting up a small group in a small circle. People can’t have their laptops out and so aren’t distracted by emails or notifications. It is easy to break into twos and threes and it leaves space to do some movement with the group (e.g. the classic – ‘place yourself on a line from 1 – 10’). Although it can feel more vulnerable for some people, I think this can help set the tons for a workshop or team meeting if you are trying to do something a little different.

If this isn’t possible (e.g. due to group size or room layout) my second preferred option is ‘carousel’ style: small tables, ideally circular, with groups of 4 to 6 on them.

I will always try and avoid board room / lecture hall style set ups, but sometimes that isn’t possible. I have had some interesting conversations with colleagues recently who are facilitating in lecture theatres or spaces where people are in rows and can’t move, and we’ve discussed ideas like:

✏ Writing things down on paper and then passing it along to the next person or making it into a paper airplane and sending it flying across the room
📊 Using Mentimeter to capture and visualise data and participant contributions with the group
💬 Turning and talking to the person next to you, behind you, in front, etc.

There are lots more options available – and so much depends on the room set up and size. Take a look at my Linked In for more regular posts on common facilitation dilemmas and solutions.