Group Technique
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In this one-page handout Craig offers a quick overview of principles to help your group design an agenda and run an effective, inclusive meeting.
In this video about group process and practice, Craig explains three reasons why agenda items should have times assigned.
In this video Craig explains two principles for successful group process: formal full commitment to participation, and formal votes bookending the process.
In this video about group process and practice, Craig reviews the steps to take before and after a meeting to encourage successful outcomes.
In this tip about group process and practice, Craig provides practical guidance on how to wrap up or transition a group's discussion, especially when the group is fired up.
In this tip about team emotional intelligence Craig encourages us to motivate our team with a compelling vision and gives examples of how to do so.
In this handout Craig discusses six characteristics that help facilitators be good at what they do.
In this one-page handout about group process and practice, Craig provides a quick overview of nine key characteristics of productive, inclusive, efficient groups.
In this tip about group process and practice, Craig describes three specific steps to help lay the foundation for good group decision making.
In this tip about group process and practice, Craig explains why it's so important to provide space for closing comments at the end of a meeting, and offers practical guidance on how.
In this tip Craig explains what makes a coalition and when it's okay to adjust coalition membership by adding or removing parties.
In this tip Craig offers practical advice on when and how to establish sub-groups, working groups, or committees, and how to manage them effectively.
In this tip Craig explains how consensus at the core can greatly improve group trust and efficiency and provides practical advice on achieving it.
In this two-page handout Craig describes the general flow and specific steps in a consensus decision making process. He also provides additional detail on addressing a block and allowing previous decisions to stand.
In this tip about group process and practice, Craig cautions that using consensus decision making does not excuse a group from having structure and protocol. Craig explains why in the tip.
In this tip about group process and practice, Craig explains the circumstances that warrant the time and effort of consensus decision making.
In this tip about group process and practice, Craig offers a solution for groups that are stuck and can't make a decision: decide how to decide. The tip gives specific examples of what this might look like.
In this tip about group process and practice, Craig cautions us not to use the same decision method for all decisions. He explains various decision making options and explores effort vs. impact.
Using a circle as a metaphor, in this tip Craig explains how valuable it is for a group to know its center as well as its edges, and he describes how to define the edges.
In this tip Craig describes groups' high need for fast achievement and offers practical advice to help prevent charging off in the wrong direction.
In this video, Craig explains a simple technique to make sure everyone has shared understanding of a group decision.
In this tip Craig describes the critical benefits of neutral facilitation for good group process, whether by a paid expert or a skilled volunteer.
In this tip Craig introduces the perhaps provocative notion that failure IS an option. What might this look like for groups? Craig explains in the tip.
In this video Craig interviews Henry Chance who had recently used Craig's Good Group Tips during jury duty. This video is packed with practical advice and real-life examples of applying good group decision making principles.
In this video Craig spontaneously interviews a nonprofit director about the "Good Meeting Guidelines" posted in her headquarters. Why did they develop these guidelines? What's it like to use them daily? This video explains.
In this video - shot live during a meeting - Craig shows us how each table is using Google Docs to capture the ideas from their small group discussions. He also shows the instruction slide they are following. This video offers a glimpse of a very efficient group process technique.
In this tip about group process and practice, Craig explains the value of ground rules for meetings and describes how to use them regularly.
In this four-page handout about group process and practice, Craig discusses the purpose of ground rules and provides dozens of sample ground rules covering individual attitudes and actions as well as collective group processes.
In this one-page handout Craig provides an overview of seven steps for group decision making, including detailed guidance for the step called "create".
In this one-page handout Craig provides a simple chart for group decision making showing when to make decisions by consensus, majority-rule, or one-decider.
In this one-page handout Craig provides a simple illustration of three types of group decision making: consensus, majority-rule, or one-decider.
Handout Guidelines For Facilitating A Public Discussion
In this tip about team emotional intelligence, Craig describes a culture of quick and visible agreement and explains how efficient it can be for decision making.
In this video Craig interviews Chloe, a high school senior practicing good group process skills. This video is packed with inspiration and practical tips for anyone exploring meeting facilitation.
In this tip Craig suggests a strategy for group success based on honoring individuals' strengths in the moment.
With a potluck lunch in the background, in this video Craig reminds us how socializing - and perhaps even breaking bread together - can help your group make good group decisions.
In this video about inclusive conversations, Craig reminds us that there are alternatives to calling on people in the order that they raise their hands. Watch to learn about three different strategies.
In this video about group decision making, Craig explains a strategy for handling future decisions that can't be resolved by the end of a meeting.
When I’m the facilitator or leader, I end almost every meeting with Closing Comments. I write this into the agenda and make time for it on the spot. I ask each person to share a highlight from the meeting, perhaps a take-away, or perhaps a hope going forward. This is different from “meeting evaluation.” I encourage ...read more
In this video about group process and practice, Craig reviews the four essential functions of good meeting facilitation - provide structure, encourage participation, reflect the group, and push the group forward - and explains what each one looks like in action.
In this video about group process and practice, Craig outlines five simple but essential steps to effectively kick off a committee's work.
In this video about group process and practice, Craig reflects on how easy it is to brainstorm lists of ideas but how hard it can be to narrow them down. Want a simple technique to cut down your list? Craig explains in the video.
In this video Craig explains several techniques for getting people up and moving during meetings. This is especially helpful for long meetings in windowless conference rooms.
As a group leader how do you manage a conversation that one person is dominating? In this video Craig explains and demonstrates a technique.
In this video Craig walks us through five key ingredients for an effective meeting. Bonus: a glimpse of a meeting room and "effective meeting zone" poster at the National Geographic Society headquarters.
In this video Craig explains specific steps for how to do a multi-vote among a group of people around a table.
Handout How To Model Decorum Craig Freshley 2026 04 21
On March 21, 2026, I moderated a debate among candidates for Governor in Maine. I have facilitated thousands of meetings, but have never moderated a debate. I pushed myself to learn best practices and afterwords I reflected on lessons learned.
In this tip Craig offers advice for groups who are "stuck".
In this video about group process and practice, Craig explains a key technique for getting unstuck when your group is having trouble moving on.
In this video about group process and practice, as Craig sets up for a meeting, he explains three options for summarizing and reflecting back to a group: projector screen, flip chart, or printed handout. Here Craig explains the pros and cons of each and in particular, when to use a handout.
In this video Craig demonstrates his portable microphone & speaker system and explains how he uses it to facilitate inclusive interaction in large groups.
In this video, Craig - in costume at Comic Con, with help from some superheros! - demonstrates a quick, fun way to open meetings and help group members get to know each other.
In this tip Craig discusses the benefits of inaugurations - deliberate rituals to convey trust and hope in new leaders.
In this tip Craig outlines the practical benefits of taking small steps to achieve big objectives.
This is my first question when I walk into a room or join a group. Yours too. Before I do or say anything, I’m wondering about THIS. Because the answer to THIS QUESTION determines everything about how I act and what I say. When I’m in the role of meeting facilitator, my very first job ...read more
In this video about group process and practice, Craig reveals three conditions in which a facilitator is justified in cutting off a participant's comments.
In this video Craig explains techniques for keeping your strategic plan alive. If you fear your plan will just sit on a shelf, check this out. Bonus: a glimpse of the location where Craig decided, years ago, to become a professional meeting facilitator!
In this tip about group process and practice, Craig explores the power of "the last minute" and offers practical advice to help groups to avoid decision making regrets.
In the middle of a meeting, Craig demonstrates a technique for efficiently sharing lots of knowledge: simultaneous participant visits to "stations". Watch the video to see it in action and learn how to try it in your meetings.
What does light-touch facilitation look like? In this tip about group process and practice, Craig explains how to gently provide structure for a group powered by its own momentum.
In this tip about group process and practice, Craig describes the benefits of balancing structure and freedom, and offers practical advice for leaders.
In this video about group process and practice, Craig explains three techniques for managing speakers when you need to get through multiple presentations quickly. One technique is called “Facilitator Fidgets". Bonus: A shepherd's hook!
Many Ways To Make Good Group Decisions
In this tip Craig shares three examples of benchmarking methods that groups can use to measure progress toward goals.
In this nine-page handout about group process and practice, Craig provides in-depth, behind-the-scenes insights into the four essential functions of meeting facilitation.
In this video Craig explains the benefits of having written meeting guidelines, and shows a real example that covers values, techniques, minutes, roles, and more. Sneak peek: one of the roles is “speakerphone advocate”.
In this video Craig explains a simple technique to help your participants introduce themselves quickly and kick off the meeting on a positive note. If you dread getting bogged down with lengthy intros at the start of meetings, this video is for you.
In this two-page handout Craig summarizes the steps to plan and prepare for a meeting, from defining the objectives to packing your bags.
With the belief that a meeting room setup influences how well the meeting goes, Craig takes us on a quick tour of a room setup and explains how each element builds professional credibility and trust in the process. This video is packed with practical group process tools that you can use immediately.
Onsite in a meting room, Craig goes through all the aspects of how to set up the room for a really great meeting.
In this two-page handout Craig explains how room setup supports good group decision making, and provides a diagram of his preferred setup.
This video shows people changing tables at a conference and Craig explains a simple technique to get people moving around and learning from each other.
In this tip about group process and practice, Craig explains how to use a multi-vote technique to establish group priorities.
In this video Craig explains multiple ways music can help with group process and practice: lightening the mood, switching seats, and more. Bonus: a little tour of a meeting room setup.
In this tip about group process and practice, Craig describes three critical anchors to help any group meeting be more creative, efficient, and safe.
In this tip Craig explains when and why it's okay to adjust plans and rules in your group.
In this video Craig dives into what he means by "good" group decisions: peace and profit. Both? For every group? All the time? Yes. Craig explains here.
In this tip Craig explains three fundamental steps that help make a meeting great, and how to implement them in your group process and practice.
In this video Craig cautions that without structure - agendas, decision criteria, facilitators - the dominant people in the group may sway results towards their own interests (intentionally or otherwise). Here Craig explains how structure provides fairness and offers simple techniques to create inclusive group processes.
In the middle of a meeting Craig demonstrates four different ways to gather public input, both written and spoken. Bonus: a glimpse of a professional room setup and facilitation tools that just might inspire your next meeting design!
There are so many books about group decision making! Here's the list of Craig's favorites, in a 4-page handout organized by category.
Inspired by a visit to the Maine House of Representatives Chamber, Craig explains key principles of the widely-used but sometimes complicated Robert's Rules of Order. In this video Craig covers the principles of one question at a time, fair opportunities to speak, impartial leadership, and touches on the purpose and spirit of the Rules as a whole. A great overview of a classic, and the comments section is chock full of additional resources.
In this video about group process and practice, Craig explains the “round robin” facilitation technique (giving everyone a chance to speak, one at a time) and he offers some tips on when and how to use this technique in a meeting. This video is packed with practical examples.
In this super quick video Craig demonstrates a technique to convey information to people working in groups without interrupting them.
In this video Craig reviews seven key ingredients for successful meetings and good group agreements. This video is packed with both principles and practical tips.
At the core of every defined group is a set of shared values. What are your group's? Craig explains the benefits of identifying them.
In this tip about group process and practice, Craig explores the practical benefits of defining your group's shared vision.
In this video Craig weighs in on the debate over whether a neutral facilitator should ever insert a suggestion into a group discussion. Here Craig explains his perspective on when it is, and is not, okay.
In this video Craig explains to a live audience six ground rules designed to help us navigate challenging group conversations about strongly held political opinions. By the way, these guidelines can also help us keep things civil in families, teams, organizations, and communities.
In this tip Craig reflects on the practical benefits of setting achievable goals, especially when morale could use a boost.
In this video Craig outlines three benefits of separating the process (the way decisions are made) from the substance (what actually gets decided).
In this two-page handout Craig summarizes the elements of a strategic plan, steps in an inclusive planning process, and the purpose of a plan.
Sometimes leaving a project or cutting a program is the best overall option. In this tip Craig explains how and when groups should consider quitting as a realistic choice.
In this tip about group process and practice, Craig explains when and how to use quick, simple, non-binding votes to get snapshots of a group's sentiment.
In this tip about group process and practice, Craig explains why and how to assess strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats at the start of a planning process.
On a scale of 1-5 how was it, and why? That’s it. After a meeting, event, program, activity, or anything that you want feedback on, ask each person to answer the above question. It’s deliberately open-ended. You can answer this with positives or negatives. You are pushed to say the magnitude of your positivity or ...read more
In this video about group process and practice, Craig demonstrates how to use table discussion guides: written instructions for table facilitators and note-takers. This video is packed with practical tips and replicable examples.
In this video about group process and practice, Craig discusses four reasons why taking a break every 1.5 hours boosts productivity. If you think “we’re too busy for a break,” learn here how breaks actually make things MORE efficient.
In this video about group process and practice, Craig discusses the "right to understand" principle from Robert's Rules of Order. He explains what this principle looks like in action and why it's so important to preserve this right.
When there’s a strong difference of opinion among two parties, having a third party who works for both sides can be hugely helpful. Scuffle on the street? It’s a third party who often breaks it up; not trying to take a side but simply stop the fight. Row between two friends? It’s often that third ...read more
In this handout Craig briefly explains seven things that high functioning groups do, and why groups should aspire to be high functioning in the first place.
In this tip Craig outlines three steps for group decision making - raising the issue, discussing the issue, deciding - and he describes what each step looks like in practice.
This video shows Craig and his colleague setting up a meeting room super fast. And in the comments is an explanation of Craig's "Greenwall," sometimes called a sticky wall.
In this two-page handout Craig explains how to prepare for and facilitate a high-quality panel discussion. If the words "panel discussion" fill you with dread, this handout is for you!
Is it okay for a meeting facilitator to say “I don’t know what to do?” In this video Craig says “Yes!” and explains how to be transparent about facilitation options while maintaining credibility with the group.
Come along on a tour of a meeting room set up for a special purpose. In this video Craig shows the seating arrangement and facilitation tools this group is about to use to make good group decisions!
In this video about group process and practice, Craig encourages groups to try summarizing ideas in real time by typing on the screen, and he offers a brief demonstration.
Consensus decision making has a bad reputation for being process-heavy, confusing, inefficient, and frustrating. It’s a very idealistic notion, rarely attainable. Perhaps that’s why I’m so attracted to it! Haha. I joined a cohousing community that makes decisions by consensus. I chaired a Waldorf school board that makes decisions by consensus. I’m often hired by ...read more
Here is Craig’s in-depth take on all that is meant by “good group decisions.” In this long-form video Craig clarifies each element of the phrase, and the outcomes that result. He also explains seven key steps and four key attitudes that are essential for good group decisions. A great video for those about to lead - or participate in - a group decision process.
In this tip Craig explains the importance of knowing the next step, and how it can provide momentum for a stuck group.
In this video about group process and practice, Craig demonstrates a technique for condensing a large list of items so that a group can identify priorities - in other words, how to show the "whole picture in brief".
Like a river, a group's energy can be turbulent, stagnant, swirling, or powerfully rushing forward. In this tip Craig offer practical suggestions for observing and working with group energy.
In this tip about group process and practice, Craig explores the incredible effectiveness and efficiency of writing comments and conclusions for everyone in the meeting to see.
This 6-page handout highlights several tips and tricks for facilitating highly effective Zoom meetings. These tips can be applied to other online meetings also.
Zoom Meeting Basics Handout
