Have you ever struggled to find flow when leading a live online session? 🌊
It’s not easy. You’re juggling glitchy tech, hopping from one thing to the next, trying to get through your agenda. It can feel… clunky. Disjointed. And a little bit bumpy.
For the longest time, I thought that was just the nature of online sessions.
There are so many things that can knock you out of rhythm:
– A tech hiccup
– A vague instruction
– A breakout room that ends abruptly
– That awkward moment when you ask a question… and get crickets
The energy can easily feel scattered.
You move from one part of your session to the next, but it doesn’t quite click. You’re not even sure if people are still with you.
(👆That’s where I find myself saying “OK, um…” way more than I’d like.)
And it’s not that your content isn’t good.
It’s just that the experience never quite settles into a rhythm.
And that rhythm really matters in online sessions, where attention spans are short and it’s easy to checkout.
Don’t worry – there’s a fix!
Say hello to ✨”the segue”✨
One of my favorite ways to create more flow is a little technique I call the segue.
The segue is a simple prompt — a question, a poll, a word cloud — that helps you move smoothly from one section to the next.
Think of it as a tiny bridge. Instead of people trying to figure out how to cross, the segue makes it easy for them to effortlessly get to the other side.
Here’s how it works.
Say you are running an online workshop on networking. You may start with a question in the chat:
“What’s one word to describe how you feel about networking?”
Then when you transition into your intro, you pick up on the responses and share your own.
“I saw a lot of people said “awkward” and “exhausting”… I totally get that. I used to feel the same way until I learned a different approach. That’s what I’m excited to explore with you today.”
Welcome –> ✨Prompt✨ –> Intro
Smooth as silk.
Here’s another example.
Say you are about to teach a new concept. Before jumping in, you run a quick poll.
“Before we get started, let’s run a quick poll. What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to leading live sessions?”
Then you use the results as a jumping-off point.
“So it looks like most people struggle with low participation. Let’s start by diving into engagement techniques.”
Intro –> ✨Poll✨ –> Concept
Bam!
Here’s what several segues in one session might look like:
Why it works
✔️ Creates continuity – makes your session feel like one flowing conversation
✔️ Builds connection – shows you’re responding to the group, not just delivering a script
✔️ Sets the rhythm – helps participants stay with you and stay engaged
Put it into action.
You don’t have to redesign your whole session plan to start using segues. The key is to look for transition moments.
Look at your session outline and ask yourself:
✅ Where am I shifting sections? That’s the ✨segue spot✨.
✅ What’s a simple prompt I can add there?
✅ How can I use the group’s responses as a springboard?
💡 Pro tip: Keep it short and natural. Even “I saw a lot of you mentioned X…” works beautifully.
It’s a small shift — but it’s what turns a gear change into a glide.
This Week’s Facilitator Finds 💪
In this section, you’ll find curated events, resources, tips, and tools that I’ve found super valuable — and I think you will too!
1/ ✍️How to Make Training More Engaging. A Session Lab blog by facilitation expert Deborah Rim Moiso where she breaks down 8 essential tips for making training not just interactive but deeply engaging.
2/ 🧰Best Online Collections of Facilitation Resources. Check out this LinkedIn post from seasoned facilitator Julia Slay (and the comments) for a list of go-to facilitation resources.
3/ 💡Knotty Groups Training Series. A training series for leaders of all kinds by my facilitation mentor and one of the most exceptional facilitators I know, Nadia Chaney with a special focus on artis-based practices.
💌 Thanks for reading The Quest
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Creatively yours,
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