The Lazy Facilitator Blog

"Wow, you're really good with names!" People say this to me all the time, and I always smile - because it's not a special talent. All I have are three lazy strategies that make me look like I have a…

You know that moment right after you finish explaining an activity and then all the hands go up with questions? It's frustrating and it makes you look unprepared if not unprofessional. Now, imagine this: you give your instructions and you…

You can never have too much energy in the room. It's always easier to pull too much energy down than it is to boost it up. Always. But the key is learning how to spot low energy before it kills your…

Your program does not start when you say, "Welcome everyone..." It starts the moment the first person walks through the door. I've been doing this for decades, and I've learned three secrets that transform those first opening minutes from dead…

As 2025 wraps up, we're reflecting on a transformative year for playmeo - new activities, the Lazy Rating system, and invaluable feedback from you. But what's really exciting is what's launching in early 2026. Here's a glimpse at what's ahead…

As a lazy facilitator, I have just one rule: If I can divide groups and have fun doing it, that's what I'm going to do. Low effort, high impact, instant results. But I bet you have never thought to divide you…

Have you ever wondered why your team seems to hold back even when you're asking for their best effort? I'm about to show you something that takes less than 10 seconds that will completely change how you think about leadership…

People still come up to me and ask, do you ever get nervous? The answer is emphatically, yes, I still do. But here's the catch. Unlike my early days, I've got a bunch of strategies that help me manage those…

Got a group that's feeling flat, or perhaps they've been sitting too long & need an energy boost? Try this 60-second energiser and you'll soon have them bouncing off the walls. This simple, no-props activity creates instant energy through a…

Turn meetings into momentum: design engaging sessions, align diverse voices, and land decisions with confidence. Take a look at Voltage Control’s Facilitation Certification program - a 3-month, cohort-based online program built around core facilitation competencies aligned...

You have less than 10 seconds and you need to lift the energy in the room dramatically. You need your group leaning in, their brains switched on and ready to focus on something new. Whether you're facilitating a workshop, leading…

Here's the biggest mistake I see facilitators make with icebreakers, and it could be costing you your entire session. Most facilitators think that just because an activity is called an icebreaker, it would automatically break the ice. They'll throw in…

It can be hard to help any group feel like a team in under five minutes, but take a look at this fun activity. It's all about connecting your team members to one another by just using their names. It's…

At this year’s annual conference for the Association of Experiential Education, I was honoured to be awarded the Karl Rohnke Creativity Award for 2025. Yep, feeling pretty humble (and proud) right now. Referencing the AEE website, I have learned that…

You can never have enough quick, simple, no-prop activities up your sleeve that you can pull out at a moment's notice. And here's one you probably don't even know. It's called Count Off, an exercise that simply instructs your group…

Stop working harder and start working smarter - I'm excited to announce that I'm launching The Lazy Facilitator, a low-effort, high-impact methodology that will help you deliver powerful engagement & connection without the overwhelm, plus get instant access to expert...

Here are two exclusive offers from two of my special friends and colleagues - Chad Littlefield and Amy Climer - I'm involved in both events, and I urge you to check them out.

We're building something game-changing (and I need your ideas.) I'm excited to share that playmeo is developing an AI-powered assistant that will help you build programs for effortless engagement and connection. So, what would make this AI agent most valuable…

Want to help your team think smarter, adapt faster, and grow stronger? These five quick and fun team-building activities are designed to build a growth mindset through reflection, creativity, and collaboration. Each one is fast, practical and proven to spark…

Worried about resistant participants ruining your team-building event? This post reveals three brilliant team bonding activities that even the most reluctant, arms-folded participants will enjoy. These aren't typical cheesy team builders - they're scientifically-backed activities...

Say goodbye to the four common fears that may be holding you back from choosing whether to debrief or not debrief your group's experience. Watch this video to gain the confidence to make smart debriefing decisions every single time. This…

Ever walked into a room full of folded arms, sighs, and people avoiding eye contact? Whether you're leading meetings, facilitating workshops, or managing teams, these four simple yet powerful strategies will help you win over any group and earn their…

Looking for quick ways to break the ice? These five fast and fun icebreakers take less than five minutes each, making them perfect for energising your group, sparking conversation, and building connections right from the start of your session.

Ever faced a group that just doesn’t want to join in? In this video, I share three proven strategies I’ve used to engage even the most reluctant participants, without embarrassing anyone or pushing too hard. Through a true story from…