I had the opportunity to partner with Wes and his team to facilitate an important Face-to-Face leadership session with our CIOs and Deputy CIOs at Headquarters in December 2024, and it was one of the most thoughtfully designed and effectively facilitated leadership events I've participated in.

From the very beginning, Wes and Liz set a tone that encouraged creativity, engagement, and psychological safety. Participants were welcomed with simple "Dollar Store" gifts and everyone was challenged to think creatively about how each item could represent our work over the coming days. A flashlight became a reminder to light the way forward. It was a simple exercise, but it immediately shifted the group into a more open and innovative mindset.

One of the most impactful elements was how intentionally he ensured every voice was heard. Early in the session, each participant shared what they hoped to accomplish during the Face-to-Face, and those goals were captured on a whiteboard for everyone to see. Rather than becoming a one-time exercise, those expectations became our compass throughout the event. Whenever discussions drifted into the weeds, we returned to those original objectives to keep the group focused on what mattered most.

The interactive activities were equally effective. The World Café exercise challenged participants to tackle strategic questions in rotating groups, allowing each team to build on the ideas of those before them. By the end, the collective thinking had evolved into well-developed recommendations, which representatives then presented to the larger group. The process ensured broad participation while fostering collaboration across leadership teams.

Another standout activity involved prioritizing our work. By displaying all priorities and giving each participant votes to allocate to the initiatives they believed would deliver the greatest value, the group was able to quickly identify where collective energy and focus should be directed. It created alignment in a way that was transparent, inclusive, and data driven.

The session concluded on a high note with an inspirational video that reinforced the themes of teamwork, leadership, and optimism. We then revisited the goals participants had identified on the first day, reflecting on how much had been accomplished together and reinforcing a shared sense of progress and accountability.

What impressed me most, however, was that the facilitation didn't end when everyone left the room. After the event, Wes consolidated the session notes into a clear summary and provided speaking points that leaders could use with their own teams. That follow-through helped ensure the momentum generated during the Face-to-Face translated into meaningful conversations and action back in the workplace.

This was a masterclass in leadership facilitation. Every activity had a clear purpose, every participant had an opportunity to contribute, and the session produced tangible outcomes that aligned the leadership team around shared priorities. Conversation that sometimes have been stifled in the past was effectively led to generate meaningful outcomes and paths forward. The experience demonstrated how intentional facilitation can transform a meeting from a series of discussions into meaningful collaboration that drives lasting results.

I would endorse Wes and his team for any type of facilitation and encourage anyone to partner with them and embrace their guidance.  Thank you for your expertise, insight and perspective in leading our team through difficult material. 

Wes and Liz provided exceptional facilitation that was thoughtful, intentional, and highly effective from start to finish. They took the time to work closely with leadership in advance to understand the goals and objectives of the engagement, whether the focus was strengthening team cohesion, building resilience through change, clarifying mission and vision, or streamlining business processes.

Their preparation stood out. Through candid conversations before the event, they ensured that participants, facilitators, and leaders were aligned on expectations and purpose. That groundwork made it possible for the group to stay focused, productive, and engaged throughout the session.

During the facilitation, they skillfully recognized and addressed the “elephants in the room” early and often, creating an environment where difficult topics could be discussed openly and constructively. Their ability to keep the air clear helped maintain trust, momentum, and meaningful dialogue.

The sessions were also creative, engaging, and memorable. They incorporated a wide range of exercises, from reflective individual journaling to paired discussions and active team-building activities that got people out of their seats and involved. Every activity felt purposeful and connected to the larger goals of the meeting.

Their use of facilitation tools was equally impressive. Whiteboarding, videos, collected memes, simple props, and other creative resources were used to convey ideas in ways that were accessible, energizing, and effective. Nothing felt random; everything in the room and every discussion was designed to build consensus and help the team achieve the intended outcomes.

As a participant, I felt at ease, valued, and engaged at all times. Wes and Liz kept us on track with humor, subject-matter knowledge, and wisdom grounded in experience and training. I used to dread off-sites, strategic planning sessions, and business retreats, but with this team, I genuinely looked forward to face-to-face engagements. They are an incredible facilitation team, and I would highly recommend them to any organization seeking a productive, inclusive, and results-oriented experience.