Episode 64: Developing Facilitators Differently

Written By Jess Almlie
 
Podcast host Jess Almlie smiles sitting at the microphone while guest Moe Poirier smiles and makes a heart shape with his fingers.
 

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What if becoming a better facilitator has less to do with learning another technique and more to do with understanding who you are in the room?

Jess and Moe Poirier explore why facilitator development needs to move beyond content delivery and mechanics toward presence, adaptability, and human connection. They unpack Moe’s five facilitation personas, how each meets a different learner need, and why exceptional facilitators know how to flex between them while still showing up authentically. They also explore the difference between performing as a facilitator and being truly present.

Jess and Moe Discuss

  • Why facilitation should move from transactional delivery to transformational experiences

  • The five facilitation personas: Sensei, Drill Sergeant, Superhero, Confidant, and Jester

  • How each persona responds to a different need in the learning environment

  • Why facilitators naturally default to some personas more than others

  • How to recognize what learners need and flex your approach in the moment

  • The difference between facilitator performance and authentic presence

  • Why facilitator development should include more than techniques and content mastery

About Moe Poirier

Moe Poirier is a facilitator, coach, and founding partner of Shift Facilitation, where he has spent more than 25 years helping trainers, leaders, and teams become more effective facilitators.

Originally trained as an engineer, Moe has built his career around the belief that great facilitation goes far beyond simply knowing the content or mastering a set of techniques. It’s about presence, adaptability, and understanding the unique strengths you bring into the room.

He is the author of the new book, The Five Personas of Facilitation: Elevating Your Unique Training Delivery Strengths & Style, which introduces five distinct facilitation personas and helps trainers and facilitators better understand their natural tendencies, build on their strengths, and adapt their approach to what learners need in the moment.

Find and Connect with Moe Poirier

 

Jess Almlie
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Episode 63: The Problem With Isolating L&D’s Impact