Difficult Participants

Don't let difficult issues fester. Introduce the most challenging or uncomfortable topics, often referred to as the 'stinky fish,' at the start of your session. Early confrontation prevents these issues from subtly undermining engagement or resurfacing as major roadblocks later. By creating a safe space for open discussion upfront, you clear the air, build trust, and enable participants to fully engage with subsequent, less contentious agenda items. This approach ensures a more productive and focused workshop.

Workshops can derail unexpectedly. Implement the RESET Protocol to recover. **R**eframe the problem or objective. **E**xplain the deviation and why a change is needed. **S**implify the current activity or agenda. **E**ngage participants by asking for their input on the path forward. **T**ransition smoothly to the revised plan. This structured approach prevents panic, re-establishes facilitator authority, and brings participants back to a productive mindset, ensuring your workshop achieves its goals despite mid-session challenges.

Challenging behaviors might stem from personal issues, insecurities, or a mismatch with session format.

Set clear objectives, expectations, and ground rules. Establish rapport and trust from the start.

Stop them, thank them, say you'd like to hear from others. Summarize their points and move on.

Create low-risk opportunities: pair shares, written brainstorming, or polls.

"That's interesting. Let's capture it in our Parking Lot and refocus on the current topic."

Assess impact, respectfully interrupt, acknowledge, share the impact, ask if they're willing to change.