The Lazy Facilitator

“You’re such a relaxed, laid-back, and maybe even lazy facilitator!”

I received this feedback during a recent Liberating Structures workshop. It was meant as a compliment, though the “lazy” part needed some clarification. 😄

I do take it as a compliment. If you’re the busiest person in the room as a facilitator, something *probably* isn’t quite right.

When I started facilitating, I *was* the busiest person in the room. I ran around clarifying instructions, answering questions, prepping the following steps, taking notes, and even sorting coffee and cookies.

We often didn’t achieve our purpose, but I received compliments for working hard — like that somehow made up for it. 🤷‍♀️

In hindsight, the problem was me. I was so busy micromanaging that I lost sight of the bigger picture.

These days, I mostly manage the structure. Think of it as setting the boundaries for self-organization. The structure is there, but participants hardly notice it. That’s what I call lightweight facilitation. It creates space for meaningful conversations without getting in the way.

I really enjoy working within those boundaries. Too much structure is suffocating, and too little is chaotic. Finding the right balance is tricky, but it is so rewarding when you get it right. 💯

It lets me step back and pay attention to things like:
👉 The group’s energy
👉 The temperature in the room (literally!)
👉 Who’s stuck, who needs support, who’s thriving
👉 Whether we need to speed up or slow down
👉 If the group is still on track to reach their goal

I wasn’t fully aware of these things when I was visibly busy. Now, I usually am.

And it’s okay if participants don’t notice. I like being “invisible” and watching people do great work. That’s what I love about facilitation.

So, next time you find yourself the busiest person in the room, pause and ask:
👉 Am I helping the group succeed — or just working hard?

You might be surprised what happens when you do a little less. 😉