Facilitation
For groups solving important problems, or learning to relate to each other differently.
I plan and hold the process, so you and your people can be fully in the conversation.
Where gatherings get stuck
Most of us have sat through a day that went in circles.
The group goes home with the same ideas it walked in with. Old patterns take over. One or two people, often without noticing, set the direction for everyone.
It’s often a design problem more than a people problem. With the right process, the same group in the same room can surface what it’s never managed to say, and decide what to do about it.
What I bring
lots of frameworks and lots of love
I spend a lot of my time on the planning: how to make a strategy session interesting, how to make an offsite mean something, how to give every voice a way in.
In the room, I draw on creative processes that get people thinking differently, relational tools that change how people listen to each other, and strategic techniques that help a group make choices and commit to them.
The shape of the work
Every gathering is different, so I design each one around the group and what it needs.
Who’s in the room
A pair, a team, several teams, or a whole division.
How many
A small circle or a large gathering.
How long
From one hour to a full day, a repeated series, or a week together.
What kind of space
Deeply relational, carefully structured and strategic, or a bit of both.
What groups often bring me
Who I’ve worked with
Executive teams, software teams, customer support teams and many others, in small startups and large global enterprises. A lot of my work has been with distributed and remote teams.
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How we’d work together
Four steps, shaped around you.
1
We talk
About what’s happening and what you hope the gathering will change.
2
I design
The process, which I share with you so we can shape it together.
3
I facilitate
So you can take part, not run the room.
4
We look back
At what shifted and what comes next.
What groups say
“Good call bringing in Kirsten to facilitate this leads call. It’s one of the smoothest icebreaker sessions I’ve ever had for a new group.”
Division Lead
“Thank you for the strategy workshop. It was hands-on and to the point, and tied directly to our current projects. We left with a clear direction and next steps.”
Software Team Lead
“The way you show up, create space for people to grow, pause, reflect, and stretch themselves means so much. It’s an absolute delight having you in the room.”
Customer Support Lead
“Really appreciate you running the Lead Training series creatively, from silent reflections to experimenting with walking meetings and cameras-off sessions!”
New Leader
“I really appreciate you customizing a feedback workshop for our team ahead of a 360 division-wide feedback process. It was both succinct and poignant, and I’m always amazed at the value you bring to your workshops!”
Chief of Staff
“Every time I worked with you, you intentionally created beautifully safe spaces, and inspired people to engage deeply and meaningfully.”
Head of Community Programs
Let’s plan it
Is there a conversation your group keeps circling?
I occasionally take on a small number of outside projects alongside my role at Automattic. If you think I might be a fit, reach out. If I can’t help, I’ll point you to someone who can.