You're facilitating a meeting and hit a roadblock. What's the best way to get things back on track?

Parking a lot is a technique that could be used during meetings, project management, trainings, workshops and unexpected situations, to: ?Keep meetings on track and conversations focused ?Capture topics and jot down items to be revised later ?Outline action items and follow-up steps related to specific topics ?Address non-urgent matters and Optimize time ?Acknowledge contributors’ ideas and concerns without derailing the conversation. ?Help to create a safe space where all are invited to speak up and share thoughts without interruption Facilitators have to be sure that everyone is aware of the parking lot concept, keep it visible and accessible, encourage attendees to contribute and improve their critical thinking

Asking questions is key. Don't be afraid to "pause". Remember that "silence is golden". Remember to hold the space for people to digest the questions before jumping in with another question.

Les questions ouvertes sont utiles pour obtenir des informations approfondies, encourager la discussion et mieux comprendre les opinions et les expériences de la personne interrogée, ou encore comprendre le processus de prise de décision. ex: Pouvez-vous partager une expérience qui a eu un impact significatif sur votre vie ?

It is one of the powerful listening strategy to understand what others are thinking and feeling, allowing them to provide longer answers and more thoughts-out responses. It promotes deeper thought and discussion, leading to more meaningful insights and helping to understand the “WHY” behind others actions and behaviors towards more clarity that would validate the decisions making process maintaining a high level of connection. It is the core of discussions starters, motivational and inspirational conversations, brainstorming sessions, feedback surveys. Using such strategy we have to listen well, ensure that respondents have finished before moving one, avoid assumptions, be open and ready to hear and receive, ask follow-up questions

Les réponses doivent être spécifique et basée sur des faits. évitez les réponses qui ne sont pas étayées par des données concrètes. Assurez-vous de rester concentré sur les faits et d'éviter les hypothèses ou les conjectures. Enfin une fois que vous avez identifié la cause fondamentale, vous pouvez élaborer des solutions spécifiques pour résoudre le problème à sa source.

The 5 whys help to delve deeper into the root cause to get back on track, achieving productive outcomes To be applied we have to first identify the roadblock clearly, ask a first why to explore the surface reason behind the roadblock, continue asking at least five iterations to uncover deeper reasons, then analyze all responses to understand the true root cause, subsequently brainstorm solutions and adjustments, revisiting decisions made earlier.

Facing roadblocks “The Fist Five” is a powerful tool to access agreements, address objections and keep meetings productive. So the facilitator/leader makes a statement and presents the idea, letting others express their level of agreement/commitment by holding up a specific numbers of fingers. After an initial discussion, facilitator asks them to show fingers. If they show disagreement, issue may not move forward- If there’s widespread agreement, decision is settled- Concerns could be raised openly. Each person has a single vote, the majority must agree for a decision to be made and everyone’s input carries equal weight

Facing roadblocks, breaks from 10 mins to 1 hour depends on the status-quo, won’t be just moments of rest, they are strategic pauses that contribute to better meeting outcomes, giving a space to rest and recharge mentally and physically and being connected to ourselves, in order to reset our brains, reducing level of stress, retain and absorb the information, process it, reflect, think, evaluate, review, revisit, and discuss it one to one or in a smaller groups to return back energized with renewed focus towards more productive meeting and more effective discussions

Being able to ask participants, "what do you think is needed to move forward?" is a powerful tool for a facilitator. Maybe we have tried all our tricks and tools, and maybe someone else in the room has another idea that will push the group forward. This does not diminish your role as a facilitator, it actually creates a more inclusive process and recognizes the wisdom in the room.

Hopefully you’ve outlined what success looks like at the top of the meeting in collaboration with the participants. If you get stuck or even sense a lull, I would suggest returning to those success metrics so that the group sees consistent forward movement in your facilitation. Feelings of aimlessness are so corrosive to genuine group dynamics, so always remind that they’re on a shared path, and you’re all making progress.

I play "the Whisper" game. My personal favourite. Guaranteed ice- breaker, ground-breaker, tool for easy negotiating. However..it's MY tool Any more info about it would ' let the cat outta the bag". FRENCH VERSION...also available.

What is the roadblock? If this has to do with weather or something which is affecting everyone that has nothing to do with work, but everyone is distracted and looking up flights or news, this may be one of the very rare instances where it makes sense to reschedule. Somethings are bigger than work...really examine the roadblock and decide accordingly. It is absolutely the last resort but sometimes it is the only answer/solution which makes sense

Depending on situations and goals, facilitators have to: ?Create a safe space ?Frame the meeting with clarity ?Support everyone’s participation and presence ?Invite all voices and perspectives ?Reference visible resources and allow for Self-correction