Start Strong: Why Showing Up Early Sets You Apart as a Facilitator

Mastering presence, preparation, and purpose, before your session begins.

One of the best facilitation habits I ever learned came not from a textbook, but from someone who said, “Get there early. Way early.” And by that they meant, not just 15 minutes early, but an hour, maybe even 90 minutes.

So why set up early - read on for the why ad the how to below!

The Physical Set-Up Matters

• Flipcharts. Markers (I hide the light / hard to read from a distance colours). Projector and speakers. Make sure its working and you know how to use it

• Tables and chairs. Cabaret or boardroom, U shape or lecture? The physical space reflects your energy and your intention - interactive in large or small groups or something else?

• Clean up the last group’s mess, it’s your room now let it reflect that

The Digital Age Demands the Same

• Open the Zoom early

• Check mic, camera, screen share; got audio files to play? test them

• Watch who joins early — those are often your connectors or champions

The Goldmine Question

“What made you show up today?” or “What are you hoping to get from this?”

The question gets to the heart of individuals motivation and curiosity.

• You develop a sense of priorities, for the group and the learners in it.

• Allows you to adjust examples and stories to the needs of the class in real time AND

• These questions help you build rapport, creates buy-in and boosts engagement

Presence Before Performance

• When you’re already grounded, others feel it

• You’re not “starting”; you’re welcoming

• First impressions aren’t in the content, they’re in your calmness and the vibe people get when they walk into the room

Showing up early isn’t about control. It’s about care. For your craft. For the people. For the conversation you’re about to invite.

What’s one habit you swear by for setting the tone as a facilitator? Drop it in the comments , I’m always refining my own toolkit.