6 Facilitation Strategies to Encourage Participation in Larger Groups

Facilitating discussions that bring forward what’s possible starts with you. You, as a leader, as a facilitator, invite participants to share their wisdom and experience. Based on our decades of facilitation, here are some easy ways to do that.

1. “Graffiti” Activities

Participants write on charts posted around the room, answering questions or completing sentence starters.

2. “Suggestion Box”

Participants have the opportunity to jot down topics for discussion on slips of paper and submit them anonymously.

3. Creative Teach-back

In small groups, participants are given sections of information about a topic and have to explore and discuss the information, then develop a creative presentation (skit, infomercial, etc.) to teach a larger group a few of the highlights from their section.

4. Reflection Writing

Participants spend a few minutes writing about the topic, and then have the opportunity to share some of their ideas with the group.

5. Partner and Small Group Activities

Partner chats and small group conversations are useful when everyone wants to talk, and also when the group is reluctant to talk. When everyone has something to say, they get the chance to talk to their partner or small group. When participants are reluctant or nervous, they get the chance to explore their ideas with just one or a few of their peers before talking to the whole group.

6. Start Moving

Toss a ball, jump rope, go for a walk, build a fort, or draw. Often the best conversations emerge when the group is having a shared experience and the focus is not directly on each individual.

Want to engage more participants in your meetings? We’ve got your back. You can do this. ❤️