Fueling better work through Facilitation

Insights from the podcast episode with Emily Hinks, CEO and founder of Mischief Makers

Hey Guys,

Summer is here, so I decided to try a different format. I have a podcast called UXYZ, where I obviously speak about facilitation. (Really, Mehdi? 😅) I’ve had the chance to meet many great facilitators, and one of my favorite episodes is with the brilliant Emily Hinks.

Emily Hinks is the CEO and founder of the globally renowned agency Mischief Makers, she is best known for her thought leadership in Facilitation, and her advocacy for neurodiversity, female leadership, and inclusivity. She worked for amazing customers like Spotify, Nike, Netflix etc. ( So jealous )

During this episode, we delved into Emily's inspiring journey, which started in theatre and led her to become an exceptional facilitator and entrepreneur. We talked about being a facilitator with ADHD and how she overcame it with great success, she also shares Mischief' secrets to orchestrating seamless hybrid workshop.

We talked about how she founded her facilitation agency and their remarkable mission to fuel better work environments and unlock teams' full potential.

As always, we concluded the episode with nuggets of wisdom for aspiring facilitators, making it an invaluable resource for anyone starting their journey in this domain.

Here are some sneak peeks and insights from this fantastic episode, packed with valuable facilitation tips.

#1 : Why facilitation has become popular in recent years and why it's an important skill.

COVID made the need for better meetings more urgent. People’s schedules became chaotic, with many having back-to-back meetings. It became really important to make these meetings more efficient and engaging so people stayed focused. Facilitation became a key skill to help with the new way of working, with more remote and hybrid setups. Companies made it a top priority to teach people how to collaborate better, run brainstorming sessions, and plan next steps effectively. (At least something positive came out of COVID. 😂)

#2: Why facilitation skills are so important for managers.

Another highlight from this podcast is how facilitation skills are more than just a checkbox—they’re a valuable asset for managers and team leads. It shows how facilitation plays a key role in changing how teams interact, communicate, and work together.

#3 Silence speaks volumes : Not intervening is an intervention !

This really resonated with me. I strive for smooth and efficient workshops, and when I see participants struggling, my instinct is to jump in and help right away. But I’ve learned that letting them struggle a bit is important.

It ties back to a key rule of facilitation: “Be the guide, not the hero.” Just like Dumbledore often let Harry figure things out on his own, allowing him to learn and grow. This approach helped ensure Harry was prepared for the big challenges ahead (I know I’ve stretched the analogy a bit).

If you enjoyed these insights, you’ll probably love the full episode. Be sure to check it out!

Ressources mentioned in the episode

You will find the resources mentioned in the episode below : 

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Mischief Makers ⁠

• ⁠The Mischief's Hybrid Facilitation Course⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠The circle of presence exercise ⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠Creative Confidence ⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠Research about icebreakers ⁠

• ⁠Humor in the workplace ⁠
  
  Let me know if you like this content format so I can decide whether to create a similar post about another episode.

For more content on facilitation, feel free to follow me on LinkedIn ! I regularly write about workshop facilitation and how it can help your team solve big problems, generate new ideas and make the right decision faster.

Let me know if you like this content format so I can decide whether to create a similar post about another episode.