Leaky Containers: How to Anticipate and Work With Them in Facilitation

Have you ever facilitated a meeting, whether in person or on Zoom, and found yourself wondering if anyone was truly paying attention? In virtual settings, it might be a sea of dark, empty screens. In person, it could be people sneaking glances at their phones or stepping out for "a quick call." In both cases, you’ve encountered leaky containers - moments where focus and engagement slip away, making it harder to maintain connection and flow.

“The thing that makes facilitation gripping is its ability to access feelings,” says Dr. Julia Kukard, Chief Knowledge Officer at Aephoria. In an online setting, in particular, the relational ingredient key for unlocking feelings (and making learning and transformation meaningful) often goes missing.?

“Leaky containers aren’t going anywhere given how we are being bombarded by physical and psychological stimuli competing for our attention,” says Dr. Kukard. “So the focus needs to be on working with distractions consciously instead of thinking we can eliminate them.” That’s what she shares in this article - a guideline for every facilitator who’s faced a distracted audience.?

What we’ll chat about:

• What Is a Safe Container?
• What Is a Leaky Container?
• The Telltale Signs of a Leaky Container
• How Do Leaky Containers Impact a Facilitation Session?
• How to Work With a Leaky Container
• How Aephoria Approaches Facilitation and Leaky Containers

What Is a Safe Container??

A safe container is an environment we create in a group setting where everyone feels secure, respected, and fully present. In this space, people can express themselves freely, knowing the facilitator and their peers support them.?

What Is a Leaky Container?

A leaky container occurs when the environment we’ve carefully built begins to deteriorate, leading to a loss of focus and connection. In virtual settings, this might be due to the constant ping of notifications, people checking emails, or distractions from home creeping into a Zoom call. In person, it could be participants getting up frequently, people leaving the room for other meetings, or disengaging by focusing on other tasks that demand their attention.

These interruptions cause participants to mentally drift, leading to a breakdown in group cohesion. For the facilitator, this can disrupt the flow of the session, making it harder to maintain engagement and guide the process effectively. The impact on the group is also significant - once a few participants become disengaged, it can create a ripple effect, weakening the sense of safety, structure, and focus essential for productive and meaningful work.

The Telltale Signs of a Leaky Container

One of the clearest signs of a leaky container is when participants leave the room for another meeting (sometimes never to return) or get distracted by outside responsibilities. These leaks are often driven by the pressure of time constraints and the anxiety of juggling multiple commitments, rather than simply boredom. Whether in a virtual meeting or an in-person workshop, participants may feel pulled in different directions, leading them to mentally check out, even if they remain physically present.

In both settings, you’ll notice the signs - people seem distracted or disconnected, often missing instructions or zoning out during group discussions. When you send participants into breakaway groups, they may seem uncertain about what to do because they weren’t fully engaged in the initial conversation.?

Divided attention creates a ripple effect. This can disrupt group cohesion, slow down the process, and make it more difficult for both the facilitator and participants to stay on track. The trust between participants breaks down, leading to subconscious questions about people’s intentions, desire to learn, and ability to listen fully.?

Do you want to learn how leaky containers impact facilitation sessions and how to work with them? Read the full article on our website.?