Hi Reader, It's Nathy
How are you doing this week?
If you’re new here — welcome! 👋
We had over 120 new facilitators join through Fit for Facilitation, and I’m so glad you’re here.
This space is where I share stories, tools, and practical insights to help you design and lead meaningful workshops — and build a facilitation business that lasts.
Did you join Fit for Facilitation?
If yes — I’d love to hear from you! Just hit reply and drop me a quick message with your favorite moment or takeaway.
(Seriously — over 100 people in each of the 11 sessions… what a week!)
I’m still processing it all — and yes, I took a moment to soak it all in... from a hammock. ☀️
🪂 My Jump into Freelance Life
Almost three years ago, after two decades in corporate, I made the leap into freelancing.
No big plan. No roadmap. Just a “now or never” moment.
Thankfully, I landed my first client fast (my former employer), and from there… things picked up.
But over time, a bigger question kept coming up:
- How do I make this sustainable?
- How do I stop chasing the next gig every month?
- How do I become the person they don’t just hire once…
…but bring back again and again?
That’s when I realized:
Being good in the room isn’t enough.
💡 The Misconception We All Start With
I used to think clients would remember me if I:
- Delivered what they asked for
- Didn’t push too much with questions
- Lowered my price to match their budget
- Ran a flawless session
That’s fulfilling administrative needs. It’s expected. It’s professional.
But it’s also forgettable.
What Really Gets You Rebooked
Being remembered doesn’t happen in the spreadsheet.
It doesn’t live in the agenda.
It happens in the experience — and in the relationship.
It’s about the emotional imprint you leave.
To kick off the session, I asked participants:
“How do you create emotions that get you remembered?”
And wow — the responses were so rich and real.
But here’s the thing: it’s not just about the workshop.
✨ Start with the Decider
The very first key I shared in the session was this:
The first person you need to be remembered by… is the decider.
The one investing in you.
You connect with them by showing up as a strategic partner —
Asking deeper questions. Seeing what they can’t yet name.
Because let’s be real — what clients ask for isn’t always what they need.
They might request a full design sprint…
…when what they actually need is a half-day ideation session.
If you just say “Sounds great!” — you risk delivering the wrong thing.
Since I know how hard it is to go beyond the surface —
To uncover the context, the real need, and design something truly valuable.
🔍 That’s Why We Created the EMPATH Framework
Together with Line Holtet, I co-created the EMPATH Discovery Framework —a practical tool that helps facilitators:
- Lead early conversations with clarity and curiosity
- Dig into the real challenge
- Align with the client’s deeper goals
- And position themselves as a trusted partner — not just a facilitator
If you want to move from being booked once…
to being the first call when something important comes up — this is your first step.
“Delivering what’s asked for makes you professional.
Uncovering what’s needed makes you unforgettable.”
💬 What Others Are Saying
Here’s a quick testimonial from the brilliant Lina Robayo, who’s already used the EMPATH Framework:
💬 Lina Robayo, Senior Change Manager at Siemens
“I loved the EMPATH Framework and its critical suggested questions. It complemented my in-take form questions and took my process to the next level, offering angles I wasn’t covering—insights I had likely just assumed from my corporate background.”
🎧 Podcast Throwback You’ll Love
This quote from Dee Scarano in our conversation says it all:
“Every single client has different needs...
...you need to uncover the real underlying needs from the client or organization before even starting designing.”
🎧 Episode 59 – Mastering Workshop Design and Facilitation
We talk about where to start when designing a workshop, what mistakes to avoid, and why it’s crucial to adapt the method to the actual need — not the other way around.
🎙️ Listen on Spotify
So now after this intense past days, I will go enjoy the sun at the lake with my daughter.
Wish you all a beautiful weekend.
Nathy 🩷
P.S. How can I help you?
1️⃣ 1:1 Mentoring: Whatever your level of facilitation, I can help you sharpen your skills, co-design impactful and memorable workshops, or even equip you to go freelance as a facilitator.
Book a 20-mins discovery call.
2️⃣ Corporate Services: Corporate Services
Looking to strengthen collaboration, enhance leadership, or build high-performing teams?I deliver tailored programs for organizational and leadership development.
Let’s connect to explore how I can support your goals.
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