Dhairya Sathvara

Learn how to effectively facilitate workshops

Intuit

New York University

Marriott Bonvoy

The New School

Western Governors University

Design Researcher & Strategist

Learn how to design and guide sessions that unlock alignment, save time, and keep teams focused

Lead meetings that actually move work forward

Master simple facilitation tactics to navigate loud stakeholders, silent rooms, and unproductive debates.

Handle power dynamics and personalities with ease

Discover how the best facilitators structure information, craft context, and guide collective decisions.

Use facilitation as a strategic storytelling tool

You know you need to improve your communication and leadership skills, and your manager has highlighted this as a focus area. They know what got you here won't get you there (your next level). Your peers and cross-functional partners have subtly hinted at it or even included soft comments in your recent performance review. In the age of AI, your ability to communicate clearly, influence across teams, and lead with empathy is what sets you apart from automation. It’s not just a soft skill anymore — it’s your strategic advantage. You want to turn things around quickly, but don’t know where to start, and you’re not prioritizing it. Here’s what might happen if you don’t take action:↳You’ll miss out on visibility within the organization↳You’ll watch others grow and wonder what’s holding you back↳You’ll worry about being flagged as a low performer because your work isn’t visible↳Your confidence will diminish, leaving you feeling stuck, like you’re on a treadmill going nowhere↳You won’t advance to the next level, as strong communication and influence are essential for growth Luckily, there’s a solution for you now. Communication Engineering helps you achieve your communication and leadership goals and creates a feedback loop for measuring your behavioral changes. You’ll learn the 20% that drives 80% of your communication and leadership impact. I learned the English alphabet at age 11, in 5th grade. Despite that, I excelled in my career at Oracle and Meta by leveraging key communication and leadership frameworks. I’ve had the privilege of speaking to C-suite executives at Oracle and Meta and engaging with customers worldwide. If I could achieve this, imagine what you could accomplish! You can find the missing link to your career growth in this course. Many have found it's your turn now! Your&nbsp;peers&nbsp;from&nbsp;Amazon,&nbsp;Ellucian, Fidelity, Kitopi, Nvidia, Oracle, Ridecell, Salesforce, State Street, Kotak, Meta, Airbnb, EY, Nubank,&nbsp;and&nbsp;SAP&nbsp;have attended previous cohorts dialing in from Armenia, India, Ireland, Mexico, Poland, Hungary, Canada, Brazil, and the United States. Read the detailed syllabus and reviews by past participants on this page below. COURSE CONTENT:↳How to communicate complex topics in simple terms using proven frameworks↳How to be charismatic without coming across as salesy↳How to tailor your message to suit your audience↳How to ask thought-provoking questions that inspire change↳How to listen deeply and go beyond just words↳How to create a career growth plan↳How to establish a feedback loop within your organization↳How to secure agreements and hold people accountable without being pushy THE COURSE ALSO INCLUDES:↳Plenty of practice with peers↳Research-backed strategies that truly work↳Immediate encouragement and constructive feedback↳Real-life examples and common workplace scenarios↳A safe environment to make mistakes and foster a growth mindset↳Plus: Homework to apply concepts (including writing assignments)↳All four Zoom workshops are live and taught by Pramoda↳All the sessions will be recorded so you can refer back to the material WHO WILL BENEFIT MOST FROM THIS COURSE:↳You love learning by doing rather than just listening to lectures or reading books↳You are accountable and eager to share and learn from your peers↳You are self-aware, open-minded, and intellectually honest WHO THIS IS NOT FOR:↳This is not for you if you’re looking for 1:1 coaching. However, there will be plenty of Q&amp;A, and I’ll ask volunteers to share their situations/examples for group discussions↳This is not for you if you believe there’s nothing more to learn about structured communication and leadership development↳This is not for you if you’re seeking a quick fix without being willing to make small changes in your behavior This is a 4-week incremental course designed for an immersive experience. You will develop three communication habits in four weeks: authenticity, brevity, and clarity.

Communicate with Authenticity, Brevity, and Clarity: Establish a Growth Loop

Course syllabus

A 45-minute live lecture is followed by 75 minutes of practice, role-playing, and peer sharing in breakout rooms. The experience is like working out at a gym, and you'll build strong communication muscles.

Saturday

Course schedule

Senior ICs and Tech Leads who have challenges with concise and structured communication; either sharing too much or too little.

Technical Experts and PMs who work with customers and are unsure what questions to ask to clarify customer's needs and create clear agreemen

Managers and Technical Leaders who are looking for frameworks and tools for handling difficult conversations and managing conflicts.

Who is this course for

What you’ll get out of this course

so you can confidently navigate workplace scenarios, saving time and effort by focusing on what matters most.

Learn easy-to-apply, proven frameworks for communication 

so you can engage effectively with colleagues and influence them, making you more impactful at work.

Develop conversational coaching skills through peer practice 

so you can effectively communicate your work, leading to greater fulfillment in your role.

Present ideas with clarity and brevity to your leadership team 

so you can measure growth with a feedback loop, which means you can partner with your manager for your career growth and promotion.

Build a personalized toolkit to enhance your leadership presence 

Think Like an Expert. Talk Like an Executive. Thrive in the AI Era.
 

Pramoda Vyasarao

Cohort 5

Cohort 6

The Facilitation Leadership Lab has become “Master the Craft of Group Facilitation.” We’re rebranding and refocusing our course because after running four cohorts on Maven and supporting organizations like Humanity United and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, we’ve learned what’s most valuable about it: the craft of leading and facilitating groups through complex and fraught dynamics, so that they can achieve their purpose. We’ve all been in stuck meetings that fail to achieve their goals, planning processes that are hijacked by conflict and/or unproductive group dynamics, and strategy retreats that focus on all the wrong issues. By the end of this two-week, live, online course,&nbsp;you’ll be able to lead groups to turn: 💫&nbsp;Group confusion into focused strategy: Develop actionable and purposeful strategies that address the roots — not symptoms! — of group challenges, while bringing the group along with you. 🛠️ Broken processes into purposeful planning: Implement intentional planning processes, sequence key issues, set purposeful agendas, and navigate high-stakes decisions. 💡 Stuck meetings into breakthrough moments: Generate movement, surface divergence, and clarify decision rights. 💛 Cultures of conflict into group belonging: Make productive use of difference and conflict, release unhealthy group dynamics, and manage challenging colleagues. Master the Craft of Group Facilitation is a live, online, cohort-based course for rising and established leaders who want to master the craft of leading and facilitating groups. You’ll learn and practice proven facilitation skills in a lab-like environment so that you can lead a group through complex and fraught dynamics, and help them achieve their purpose. You’ll also receive 1:1 coaching with instructors, and access to a peer-learning community with 100+ leaders from organizations like Humanity United, Google, Center for Tech &amp; Civic Life, More in Common, and many more. Enroll today!

Facilitating groups is a craft anybody can learn –  we’ll help you master it.

✏️  Course syllabus

Session 1: Saturday, Aug 2, 12:00 - 4:00 pm ESTSession 2: Sunday, Aug 3, 12:00 - 4:00 pm ESTSession 3: Saturday, Aug 9, 12:00 - 4:00 pm ESTSession 4: Sunday, Aug 10, 12:00 - 4:00 pm EST

August 2-10

In between the two weekends, participants will be given ‘homework’ that they can use to practice the skills they’re learning with course participants and deepen their understanding of the frameworks.

‘Homework’

📅 Course schedule

Civil society leaders who want to master the craft of group facilitation and level-up their organization.&nbsp;

Operators and product managers who are tired of all the ‘people &amp; process stuff’ getting in the way of key outcomes.

Managers of cross-functional teams or partner-facing leaders who want proven tools to facilitate groups to achieve their purpose.

🤔 Who is this course for? 

You’ll learn proven facilitation skills, practice them in a lab-like environment, and receive personalized feedback from the instructors.&nbsp;

Master 18 key facilitation skills you can implement immediately

You’ll have access to a practical workbook by your side to navigate complex group dynamics in the future.&nbsp;

A 60+ page workbook full of 20+ tip-sheets, check-lists, and exercises to refine your craft
 

Participants will join a peer-learning community with 100+ leaders from organizations like Humanity United, Google, Center for Tech &amp; Civic Life, More in Common, and many more.&nbsp;

Access a private peer-learning community to support your ongoing facilitation and leadership development.
 

You'll have the opportunity to engage 1:1 with the instructors in a free coaching session after the workshop is complete.

1:1 Coaching

You’ll develop a ‘Customized Facilitation Plan’ to address key issues at your organization, guided by the instructors.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hands-on Capstone Project

Transform stuck meetings into breakthrough moments, cultures of conflict into group belonging, and workplace ambiguity into strategic action

Kate Krontiris

Charley Johnson

Cohort 4

The Facilitation Certification the World Needs, And You Deserve You have been showing up, leading sessions, guiding conversations, and holding space that matters. Now it is time to take those skills and experiences and give them the professional recognition they deserve. The Shiftbalance Level 1 Certificate in Facilitation is your opportunity to earn a globally respected, practice-based certification that strengthens your presence and makes it official. Designed by experienced facilitators for real-world facilitators, whether you’re just beginning or already holding space, this course is accessible, professional, and rooted in modern, inclusive practices. Recognized by Shiftbalance and connected to real opportunities. Upon completing the Capstone, you will earn your Level 1 Certificate, a LinkedIn Badge,&nbsp;and be added to our Global Facilitator Database, which will open doors to future collaborations and referrals through Shiftbalance. This is the certification you’ve been waiting for, credible, meaningful, and built for how facilitation is practiced today. Let the world know you’re not just a facilitator. You are a certified one.

Confidently lead inclusive, impactful sessions with clarity and presence.

5 LIVE sessions and post course activities

16th - 20th June 2025

In Session 5, you’ll deliver a live facilitation session to showcase your skills. Using all you’ve learned, receive constructive feedback from peers and facilitators, and earn the Shiftbalance Level 1 Certificate in Inclusive Facilitation upon successful completion.

Capstone Project 

The Emerging Facilitator﻿New to facilitation and eager to gain tools, confidence, and structure to lead impactful, inclusive sessions.

The Team Leader or HR ﻿Champion﻿Build inclusive, engaging, and psychologically safe spaces where every voice is valued.

The Experienced Coach or TrainerHas facilitation experience and seeks fresh tools, global methods, and certification to grow.

For emerging facilitators, trainers, leaders & changemakers ready to hold inclusive and impactful spaces both online and in-person.

What you will get out of this course

Gain a recognized certification that not only validates your facilitation skills but also opens doors to new professional and development opportunities.

Become a Certified Facilitator with Shiftbalance

Gain a clear understanding of what it means to guide learning with intention. You will define the role, responsibilities, and mindset of a facilitator who creates space for others to contribute, grow, and feel heard.

Understand the role, responsibilities, and mindset of a facilitator

Learn how to craft workshop agendas and define learning outcomes that are focused, engaging, and aligned with the needs of your audience, so that every session feels intentional and drives meaningful results.

Develop the skills to design impactful workshop agendas and clearly defined learning outcomes that drive participant engagement and results

You will learn how to apply inclusive facilitation principles to build safe, welcoming, and equitable learning environments where all participants can thrive.

Apply inclusive facilitation principles to create safe, equitable facilitation environments

Explore digital tools and creative techniques that bring energy and connection to your online facilitation. You will leave with strategies to increase participation and create a strong sense of presence, even from a distance.

Use a range of digital tools to enhance virtual facilitation and participant engagement

Put your learning into action by delivering a facilitation session that reflects your growth. You will guide a group through a structured, inclusive experience while receiving feedback that helps you refine your style.

Deliver a live, structured, and inclusive facilitation session with confidence

Close the course with time to reflect on how far you have come and where you want to go next. You will create a personal action plan to continue developing your skills.

Reflect on your growth and create a personal action plan for future facilitation

Gain confidence & tools to lead inclusive, impactful sessions as a certified facilitator. Empower voices and foster healthy team dynamics.

Aurélie Salvaire

Level 1 - Cohort 1 

Cohort 2

(Nov 7-Dec 12)Again and again, we learn that the expectations and 'shoulds' we live by often rob us of our agency and joy. We feel and perform better when we pause instead to greet reality just as it is—and listen. In that listening, we don’t find easy answers but rather deep understanding: a moral grounding that guides tough decisions and a reliable sense of direction when the world feels upside down. This course brings together the lessons of the five preceding fluencies. Through this series, we’ve been cultivating the ability to see and adapt to change (Reinvention); allowing purpose to guide us (Purpose); using the forces of change to inspire humility and possibility (Foresight); actively engaging in future-building (Innovation); and connecting with others to foster true growth and evolution (Belonging). Now, we are prepared to step into the humility, discernment, and ethical core that define wisdom. Wisdom is not only the work of our lifetime; it is its purpose. This is the last of six fluencies in the Lead Like a Futurist program:Leading Self: Reinvention and Purpose (TBD – join the waitlist at leadlikeafuturist.com)Leading Strategy: Foresight and Innovation (Spring 2025)Leading Culture: Belonging and Wisdom (Fall 2025)Learn more at leadlikeafuturist.com.___________________________________DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE!Register for two or more fluencies within a 24-hour period and save big. Indicate your interest on the application to receive your discount code: - Two Fluencies: $100 off each course- Three Fluencies: $125 off each course- Four Fluencies: $150 off each course That's 4 for the price of 3! BONUS: Registering for two or more fluencies grants you access to continued Workroom coaching sessions between courses. This high-value opportunity is exclusively available to those who make this commitment. CERTIFICATION: Students who complete the full Lead Like a Futurist six-fluency leadership program will be awarded a certificate that verifies their achievement and training. This certificate is suitable for framing, adding to your resume, and showcasing on your LinkedIn profile to highlight your leadership development.

Finding clarity and equanimity in an upside down world.

<ul><li>Prework Videos and Readings:&nbsp;Access anytime!</li><li>Recorded Live Sessions:&nbsp;Can’t make it live? Catch up with session recordings.</li><li>Workroom Time on Fridays:&nbsp;A time to dive deeper into the material.</li><li>1:1 Support Calls:&nbsp;Personalized guidance to keep you aligned and moving forward.</li></ul>

If your schedule blows up, we've got you

There are five 90-min live sessions that occur on Wednesdays at 9am CST. This time is suited to a variety of timezones, making it friendly to students across the Americas and Europe.These are the people you've been waiting to meet: thoughtful and passionate—just like you!

A 5-part series

<ul><li>The Prework will generally be 30 minutes of time or less.</li><li>Expect Homework to take 30-60 minutes each week.</li></ul>Additionally, we offer two Workrooms (Optional) for group coaching and project work on Fridays, 9am and 3pm

Prework and Homework

Let the lessons take root with real-life coaching between course, where you'll tackle pressures, politics, and decisions in a supportive community.Available for those registered in 2+ fluencies in 2025.

The Workroom Continues

This course is built for busy professionals

You sense there's a kind of leadership training that will take you to the next level in a way that traditional development doesn't touch.

You want to be a leader who can meet the needs of this next era, equipped to "dance with change as it emerges."

You understand that to be an evolved and effective leader, you have to be an evolved and effective human.

Who this course is for:

Become the Calm in the Center of the Storm

<ul><li>Create ease by aligning perception and action with the natural flow of change.</li><li>Celebrate lightness as the 'fake news' of our belief-driven minds begins to lose its grip.</li></ul>

Awaken to a Simple View of Life on Life’s Terms

<ul><li>Laugh at the paradox that we will never know it all, yet are always right.</li><li>Relax into awe, discovering wonder in any and every moment.</li></ul>

Experience the Softening and Expanding Effects of Humility

<ul><li>Learn to separate facts from feelings, truth from triggers, and reality from fiction.</li><li>Approach study as a vital tool for digging deep into discernment and uncovering wisdom.</li></ul>

Exchange Judgment for Discernment

<ul><li>Accept loss as an inherent part of every decision, meeting it with compassion and grace.</li><li>Master decision-making frameworks and collaborative problem-solving techniques to confidently navigate life’s toughest choices as a leader.</li></ul>

Discover What’s Right to Do When There Are No Right Answers

Today we are drowning in intelligence, yet face a drought of wisdom. This course helps you tap into this most vital, underutilized resource.

Lightning Lessons

Learn how to effectively facilitate workshops