Learning Moments

Reflections from four intense days of knowledge exchange

I’ve just stepped off a plane after four days of facilitating knowledge exchange with a group of 35 professionals. My body is tired. My mind is full.

The vibe was good.

I know — vibe is an unusual word in a professional context. Yet it captures exactly what I mean: the atmosphere in the room, the mood of the interactions, the way people settle in, open up, and engage. The energy that grows. The moment a group becomes a group. It can’t be measured — only felt.

That’s the vibe. And this time, it was really good.

People were engaged. Open. Generous in sharing. Dynamic. Hard-working. The conversations were inclusive and honest. Challenges and doubts were named out loud.

I felt satisfied and exhausted.

Because creating the right vibe is work. It looks effortless when it works. That’s the point. But it isn’t effortless. Not at all.

So, how is a vibe created?

It can’t be built, certainly not alone. And it can’t be forced. But the conditions can be created— and that’s where the real work is.

It starts with an organising team aligned around a shared purpose: why the workshop matters, and what the group is trying to achieve. What atmosphere does the goal require? Will the character be formal or conversational, expert-led or peer-to-peer, reflective, exploratory, or provocative? The answer shapes everything. The atmosphere has to serve the purpose.

Then comes the design. A process that invites real conversation, where everyone can be seen, heard, and respected. Structures that let people show their expertise, their insight, their doubts, their questions. A space that supports the work, including the arrangement of the chairs. (Yes, the chairs matter; they are the facilitator’s friend).

And time — enough time — invested in connecting people. Because people need to feel at ease with each other before they’ll speak up, commit, or go anywhere deeper together.

It also starts with a genuine invitation — clear, intentional, open — so people arrive already curious. Open. Willing to engage.

And smiling.

That last part — it can’t be created, only invited. It’s a gift people bring. This time, they brought it in abundance. And together, we built the vibe.

The vibe is never the same twice

Every group is different. Every workshop has its character. It can be prepared for, planned, designed — but never predicted. Only cared for. Kept alive across four long days.

Which is why I’m sitting at this airport, exhausted and grateful. I’ll forget the details of the design. But how it felt in that room — with that group — I won’t forget. The vibe stays.

What vibe are you building — and is it intentional?
Drop your experience in the comments.

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The bit at the end

Exciting events on the horizon to support your exploration:

• What if the most rebellious thing you could do right now is pause?
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• Curious to experience Street Wisdom for yourself — inspiring, surprising, and quietly powerful? Reach out, and let’s wander with wonder through the streets, alleys, and bridges of Alkmaar or Amsterdam. Learn more about Street Wisdom here.
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Reach out,  I’m always open for a chat.
Creatively,
Nadia

P.S.The paintings featured on the blog are my own.