08/23/2026
The best learning experiences aren’t just about what people learn. They’re also about how people experience the learning.
I recently facilitated a virtual session with Google on cultivating and sustaining trust and received this feedback from one of the participants:
"I really enjoyed Wendy's facilitation style — tone (warm), pace (digestible), and interaction style (enjoyable). Wendy also did a really good job pivoting when we weren't able to create breakout rooms, expert level."
This one stayed with me because connection has always been at the heart of why I do this work.
Maya Angelou famously said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
I think about that often when I facilitate.
People learn differently when they feel comfortable enough to participate, ask questions, challenge their thinking, and be honest about what they don’t know.
That connection isn’t separate from the learning. It helps make the learning stick.
And sometimes that means letting go of the perfect plan.
Technology happens. Conversations take an unexpected turn. An activity doesn’t work the way you imagined. Part of facilitating well is being able to read the room, adjust, and keep people connected to the experience.
So yes, I want people to leave with useful tools and ideas they can put into practice.
But I also want them to leave feeling seen, challenged, connected, and a little more capable than when they walked in.
That’s what impact looks like to me.
What do you hope people feel when you leave the room?
