Dear Reader,

What if growing smaller actually meant growing stronger?

This question came to mind when my newsletter provider announced a significant fee increase (based on the number of subscribers).

I've been obsessed with numbers believing that more is merrier and more followers or subscribers means more reach. But just because we are sending a message doesn't mean someone receives it. I've learned from years of facilitation that just because we're sending a message doesn't mean someone receives it.

Newsletters are beautifully different from other types of social media in this way. On platforms, we broadcast to whoever the algorithm decides should see us. But here, in your inbox, you've made an intentional choice. You've given me a small space in your inbox every week. What an honour!

That's why I'm making a change that might seem counterintuitive: I'm actively shrinking this list. Tomorrow, I'm reaching out to subscribers who haven't opened emails for a while and offer them a guilt-free exit.

This feels like applying the best principles of leadership to my own work. As any good facilitator knows, you can't force engagement, you can only create conditions where it wants to happen. That means curating the room, honouring people's choice to participate, and trusting that the right people will lean in when the conversation matters to them.

In times of information overload, I want to write for those who actually read the words, who think alongside me, who choose to be here.

Thank you for being someone who opens these emails, who engages with these ideas. In a world of endless content, your attention is a gift.

🎙 Meanwhile, on the podcast…

Bringing her childhood dream to life is Josie White, the hot air balloon pilot. From an early obsession with their magical, multi-coloured domes, to a fully-fledged pilot, Josie now flies and facilitates passengers 2000 feet up in the air over Australian soil.

But when nerves naturally start to run high in a small, floating basket, and fear manifests in a multitude of ways, reading the room to regulate passenger emotions is mission-critical to a successful flight.

Josie shares how she guides her groups with calm authority, ensuring that everyone feels safe, reassured and present, all while piloting the balloon! A special conversation with plenty of fascinating and unexpected on-the-ground facilitation learnings, from up high in the clouds.

Find out about:

• What facilitation looks like up to 4000 feat up in the air
• Why reading body language is so critical for a successful flight
• The importance of Josie regulating her emotions, to help regulate her passengers
• But when nerves naturally start to run high in a small, floating basket, and fear manifests in a multitude of ways, reading the room to regulate passenger emotions is mission-critical to a successful flight.Josie shares how she guides her groups with calm authority, ensuring that everyone feels safe, reassured and present, all while piloting the balloon! A special conversation with plenty of fascinating and unexpected on-the-ground facilitation learnings, from up high in the clouds.Find out about:
  • What facilitation looks like up to 4000 feat up in the air
  • Why reading body language is so critical for a successful flight
  • The importance of Josie regulating her emotions, to help regulate her passengers
  • What facilitators can learn about the pre-flight checks, planning and preparation

🎧 Click here to listen to the interview

📥 Check out my 1-page summary

​WW_Episode_338-summary.pdf​

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👀 Watch the unedited interview on Youtube​

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📌 Find podcast episodes that match your needs

Did you know? You can search all episodes by keyword on our Buzzsprout page to find exactly what you need.

​Click here to find the episodes by keyword.

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🔖 Inspiration at Your Fingertips: Get the Podcast Summary eBooks

Are you looking for inspiration for your next workshop or guidance on which podcast episode to explore next? Discover the eBooks compiling summaries of all 300 “Workshops Work” podcast episodes—a rich collection of facilitation insights and practical tips. These digital coffee table books are perfect for sparking new ideas or delving deeper into workshop best practices.

​Click here to get your copies.

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That’s it from my side! I hope you enjoy the content and find inspiration in the stories and the podcast. I wish you the courage to let go of numbers that don’t matter. I hope to see you next week, or on LinkedIn in case you decide to leave :)

Myriam

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