Here's how you can access valuable resources and platforms for continuing education in facilitation.

I find that doing short online courses in specific focus areas that can contribute to the current trends/needs of a business offers you a competitive advantage, as when trends change, generally, other companies follow suit. This helps you be ahead and makes you valuable.

Attending workshops and seminars will give you insight into up-and-coming trends that could change the way that businesses operate in the future or open up insight into shared knowledge where things can be improved. These workshops open up thought-provoking scenarios and discussions that you may already be experiencing in your company but are now able to unpack and dive deep into a solution-driven environment that helps to support a facilitate a way forward.

Attending facilitation workshops has been incredibly valuable in my growth as a facilitator. I've learned new facilitation techniques, seen exceptional facilitation in practice with experienced facilitator leads, and met fellow facilitators who have become collaborators and friends. Most of all it helped me to take risks and stretch my facilitation skills in a safe and supportive learning environment.

I have expanded my professional network by joining the International Association of Facilitators. Being a member of IAF gives me access to learning experiences and international networks of facilitators who have become collaborators and friends. And the membership cost is reasonable.

I believe professional associations are rather important! They are great tools to strengthen an organisation's credibility, upskill workforce and create a holistic overview understanding of an organisation's needs and operations. Access to resources that can put a company on the leading market-related trends can assist its brand strength and credibility. Mentorship is super important in these situations as development for the future alongside experience and shared knowledge can open doors, yes, but most importantly coach and prime the right successor to various roles that will deliver to the organisation's needs and its continued growth

When it comes to peer learning I have found joining online facilitation communities really helpful. I have benefitted from being a member of the Never Done Before and the Butter Communities.

In my experience, continuous learning plays a big role in learning facilitation. I've learned a lot from: 1) Listening to facilitation podcasts like Myriam Hadnes' Workshop Works. 2) Scanning through toolkits like Hyper Island, Session Lab, and Mischief Makers. 3) Reading articles and books like Priya Parker's The Art of Gathering 4) Watching videos like AJ& Smart's and Chad Littlefield's YouTube videos and reading facilitation newsletters (full disclosure - I write a weekly facilitation newsletter called The Quest that I invite you to check out:).

Learning facilitation is a lifelong quest. I liken it to learning a musical instrument. Just when you think you are getting good, you hear a real master and realize there is more to learn. It's 100% worth the investment in time and resources. I use my facilitation skills every day - professionally and in my personal life and relationships.