Facilitation training that turns meetings into decisions
Learn the exact methods our Certified Master Facilitators use in hundreds of sessions a year. Four days, 10 principles, 100+ techniques, and six chances to put them to work with coaching.
Same people, same agenda, completely different meeting
Most people who lead meetings were never taught how. The Effective Facilitator gives you a method, so the outcome no longer depends on who’s in the room.
Before- Three voices run the conversation
- An hour of talk with no decision
- Next steps that belong to nobody
After- Everyone contributes, including the quiet experts
- A clear decision the group owns
- Commitments with names and dates
Six problems you’ll know how to fix by the end of the course
Silence after your first question
Principle 2 · Getting StartedOpening words and warm-ups that get the room talking.
The same few voices dominate
Principles 5 & 6Nine question types to draw people out, plus ways to handle the behavior that derails a session.
Lots of talk, no decision, no owner
Principles 7 & 9Consensus by design, and a close that turns agreement into commitments.
Conflict, or the issue nobody will name
Principles 6 & 7Managing dysfunction in the moment, and five strategies for resolving disagreement.
Whoever holds the pen decides
Principle 4 · The Power of the PenRecording the group’s thinking without quietly editing it.
The agenda never survives the room
Principles 3 & 10Keeping the group focused, with 10 detailed agenda models you take home.
Leaders get the behavior they tolerate.
Michael Wilkinson, founder of Leadership Strategies and Certified Master Facilitator
Facilitation training for anyone responsible for what a group produces
You don’t need “facilitator” in your job title. Most of our graduates don’t have it.
Project and program leaders
Kickoffs, requirements sessions and steering meetings that end in decisions.
L&D, HR and internal facilitators
Workshops that stick, and the skills to build facilitation capability across your organization.
Managers and executives
Planning sessions and leadership meetings where people commit and follow through.
Consultants and analysts
A repeatable method clients can see, for every session you run.
“Our new position requires us to facilitate workshops on change management and I now feel that I have the facilitation tools necessary to host these meetings…”
Bianca Mullins · The Effective Facilitator Virtual Edition graduateYou don’t just learn it. You do it six times before you leave.
Great facilitators aren’t defined by their grasp of theory. What sets them apart is their skill with groups: inspiring action, probing for clarity, managing dysfunction and building commitment. So that’s where the four days go.
Practical techniques you can use immediately, dynamic instructors, and interactive exercises throughout. We call it the PDI Difference.
Typical coursestime on group technique
The Effective Facilitatortechnique and practice
The Facilitator’s Methodology™
10 principles take you from preparing for success to closing with commitment. You get the practical how-to behind every principle, not just the concept.
Preparing for Success
Whom to talk with, what to ask, what to do with what you hear.
Getting the Session Started
Opening words, voice and body, and a warm-up that gets answers.
Focusing the Group
On the issue that matters, not the loudest one.
The Power of the Pen
Capture the group’s thinking accurately.
Information Gathering
Nine question types for probing, challenging and surfacing ideas.
Managing Dysfunction
Handle the behavior that derails a session.
Consensus Building
A consensus approach from the start, plus five ways to resolve disagreement.
Keeping the Energy High
Momentum through a long working session.
Closing the Session
Commitments that hold after everyone leaves.
Agenda Setting
Ties it together, with 10 agenda models you keep.
“Dealing with the power of the Pen. I used to struggle with that, but now I have some solid tools.”
Ginger Chew · The Effective Facilitator, May 2026Four days of facilitator training, built around practice
Day 1
Facilitation process · Principles overview · Information gathering · Exercise 1: Questioning · Preparing · Starting
Day 2
Exercise 2: Starting · Focusing · Power of the pen · Exercise 3: Using the pen · Dysfunction · Exercise 4: Dysfunction
Day 3
Consensus · Energy · Closing · Exercise 5: Consensus · Agenda setting · Agenda models · Session preparation
Day 4
Setup · Exercise 6: Facilitated sessions · Review and close
A three-day streamlined version, without the facilitated sessions exercise and recording, is also available.
What you take back to work
The workbook
All 10 principles and 100+ techniques.
10 agenda models
Reusable session designs you keep.
Certificate of Completion
Competencies map to the CPF and CMF paths.
6 practice sessions
With feedback, and recorded practice on request.
Is The Effective Facilitator right for you?
Four questions. We’d rather point you to the right course than sell you the wrong one.
No email required to see your result.
How often are you responsible for the outcome of a group session?
What goes wrong most often in your sessions?
Which best describes your role?
What formal facilitation training have you already completed?
What changes at work when the method is in use
less time and effort in the project “Initiate phase”
Fortune 100 insurance company case studyprojected savings from the rollout
Same program; $100,000 saved in the first seven pilotsfewer motor vehicle accidents
The United Illuminating Company case study; IAF Platinum Impact Awardin projects supported by an internal facilitator team that started with two people
Marathon Oil case study“In putting into practice the facilitation skills I’ve learned, I’ve been able to get people to arrive at answers themselves instead of me telling them the answers.”
RHRebecca HartleyHR Manager, Manheim United Kingdom“This training was by far one of the best uses of my time – highly engaging!… our team has averaged a score of 8.8 out of 10, and over 70% rated us 9 or 10.”
JFJack FarrisProject Apollo Lead, Tenth and Blake (MillerCoors)“I completed the ‘Effective Facilitator’ course some time ago, and it remains a cornerstone of my leadership and coaching practice… It has elevated the effectiveness of my sessions, driving better outcomes and deeper engagement.”
GAGolden AlkemiEffective Facilitator graduate“We are still talking about the facilitation training experience…using the skills every chance we get. I will continue to use my reference material to improve and enhance my facili-trainer skills!”
VDValerie DowellManagement Training Lead, AstraZeneca“The Effective Facilitator course is a valuable investment of time. You’ll walk away equipped with practical tools, tips, and skills to successfully lead and facilitate meetings.”
PMPenny McLaughlinEffective Facilitator graduate“What I gained from The Effective Facilitator isn’t just new knowledge, it’s genuine competence and confidence.”
MSManal S.Consultant, Facilitator, TrainerSee all client case studies and results →Read The ROI of Facilitation →
Choose your date: online or in person
Virtual and in-person classes cover the same curriculum and include all six practice sessions.
Times are local to each class. Tuition is shown at registration. Sending three or more people? Ask about team incentives: call 800.824.2850.
Not ready to enroll yet?
Get the full four-day syllabus by email: every principle, practice exercise and agenda model, day by day.
Training a team?
Private classes for groups of 8 or more can be customized for your industry and delivered on-site or virtually. Sending a smaller group? Ask about team incentives starting at three people.
"Our customized class was great and helped my team better engage with key stakeholders on major projects… a big win for us!" Kera Fresquez
Request group training infoOr call 800.824.2850
Free samples from the course
Intro to Facilitating Groups: The Basics
The 6 Ps of Preparation and the IEEI opening, two tools from the course you can use this week.
10 Principles of Facilitation
The backbone of the four days, plus checklists and guides.
The Secret of the Starting Question
One technique from Day 1 you can use this week.
Questions people ask before they enroll
What makes this facilitation training different?
Most facilitation courses spend about 20% of their time on group techniques. The Effective Facilitator spends 80% on learning and practicing them, including six practice sessions with feedback. It's also the only facilitation course endorsed by both the International Association of Facilitators (IAF) and the International Institute for Facilitation (INIFAC), covering competencies for CPF and CMF certification.
How hands-on is it?
Very. You practice each major principle soon after you learn it, with six exercises spread across the four days. On Day 4 you design and lead your own facilitated session. Support continues afterward through Spring Forward, The Maximizer and The Refresher.
Who is it for?
Anyone responsible for what a group produces: project and program leaders, L&D and HR practitioners, managers and executives, consultants, trainers, analysts and sales professionals. You don't need to be a professional facilitator.
What results can I expect after the course?
Graduates report fewer and shorter meetings, clearer decisions, stronger buy-in and more confidence leading groups. The real return is that time spent in meetings produces more progress and less rework. Over 95% of graduates rate The Effective Facilitator the best or one of the best courses they've ever taken. See the numbers in our client case studies, from a Fortune 100 insurer to Marathon Oil.
Will it help with difficult personalities and conflict?
Yes. Managing Dysfunction is one of the 10 principles and has its own exercise on Day 2. The course also teaches methods for building consensus from the start, plus five strategies for resolving disagreements.
Virtual or in person: does it matter?
Both cover the same curriculum and include all six practice sessions. One graduate whose class moved online: "We had to go virtual due to weather, but we didn't lose anything. The content was great, Wayne kept us engaged and focused, and I do feel like I have new tools to help bring facilitating all types of sessions to the next level." Laura Bowles
How long is it, and is there a shorter option?
Four days. There's also a three-day streamlined version without the facilitated sessions exercise and recording.
How much does The Effective Facilitator cost?
Public classes are $3,200 per person for the four-day course, virtual or in person. Private classes for your team are quoted by group size and format, and government agencies can buy at GSA Schedule pricing. Call 800.824.2850 for a quote.
Do you offer GSA pricing for government agencies?
Yes. Leadership Strategies holds GSA Schedule Contract GS10F-0435R, so federal agencies and other eligible buyers can purchase our facilitation training, including The Effective Facilitator, at GSA Schedule pricing. See our GSA Schedule training and facilitation page, or call 800.824.2850 for GSA rates and ordering details.
Does it count toward facilitator certification?
Yes. The course covers the competencies for the IAF Certified Professional Facilitator (CPF) and the INIFAC Certified Master Facilitator (CMF). You receive a Certificate of Completion, and Facilitator Certification Preparation is the next step when you're ready to certify.
Is this course trusted by organizations like ours?
Yes. Leadership Strategies has trained facilitators since 1993, and more than 35,000 professionals have learned The Facilitator's Methodology. The Effective Facilitator is the only facilitation course endorsed by both IAF and INIFAC, and it is available to government buyers through GSA Schedule Contract GS10F-0435R.
Can you train my whole team?
Yes. Private classes for groups of 8 or more can be tailored to your industry and context, on-site or virtual. For smaller groups, ask about team incentives starting at three people.
Run the meeting everyone wants to attend
Join 35,000+ professionals who've learned The Facilitator's Methodology™.
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