workshops work
Welcome to “workshops work,” the podcast that transforms how professionals engage, inspire, and lead groups. Ranked among the top 5% most popular podcasts globally, it is hosted by Dr Myriam Hadnes, a behavioural economist and facilitation expert. Each episode delves into the techniques and mindsets that make workshops truly impactful.
Join us every week as we sit down with world-renowned facilitators and uncover their secrets to creating psychological safety, fostering collaboration, and sparking innovation. Whether you’re a Facilitator, L&D professional, HR leader, manager, coach or trainer, you’ll find practical tips, inspiring stories, and actionable insights to elevate your group dynamics.
From navigating conflict to unlocking creativity, “workshops work” blends theory with practice, ensuring you walk away with tools you can immediately apply. Dr Myriam Hadnes doesn’t just interview; she facilitates enriching conversations that shift perspectives and deepen understanding.
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workshops work
008 - How to handle ineffective power differences in meetings - with Marcel van de Hoef
In this episode, I talk to Marcel van de Hoef, a journalist, coach, and podcaster. Marcel hosts The Meeting Strategist podcast and helps leaders to transmit their mission through mass communication formats. Everything he does has to do with communication, so we talk about power structures in conversations and namely in meetings and workshops.
In the show, Marcel shares how he raises awareness of the impact of power differences to reduce ineffective effects on conversations. We also speak about journalism, leadership, and how to use power for role modelling.
Don’t miss the part when Marcel shared his experience being an editor in chief at age 22 and what he would do differently today. The conversation will inspire you to reduce unproductive power in workshops to make them work.
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Feeling inspired by the conversation in this episode? We can have our own - take a seat at my virtual table as part of a Mastermind Group.
Questions and Answers
[2:28] How did you get interested in the topic of power? What’s your story?
[12:01] How would you define “unproductive power differences”?
[14:33] How can we avoid the negative impact of power differences?
[16:05] So power differences are not necessarily tied to differences in a hierarchy?
[18:00] In the context of professional gatherings, how can you make participants become aware of such power differences?
[22:21] When you feel power differences, how can you get participants to share information without risking the safe space?
[27:27] Do you have a trick that helps those in power to lower their guards in meetings or workshops?
[33:01] What is the role of ego in power games?
[35:51] What is the magic ingredient that distinguishes a good from a bad meeting?
[38:18] How can you keep the balance between contributing, connecting and time boxing in a meeting with a tight agenda?
[47:26] If a listener just woke up and missed the core part of the show, what do you want them to remember?
Related links you may want to check out:
- Marcel’s website, including his blog and podcast: www.meetingstrategist.org
- Marcel’s mentor Mauk Mulder http://maukmulder.nl/ (in Dutch) and an article in English
- Priya Parker’s book: The Art of Gathering
- Celeste Headlee on Coaching for Leaders
- Amy Edmondson’s case study of the Chilean mine rescue
- Marcel’s conversation with Oscar Tr
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