Have you ever attended a live session that completely missed the mark?
I was in one recently.
About 17 minutes in, someone dropped in the chat:
“17 mins and ZERO VALUE.”
As harsh as that sounded, I had to agree.
The most disappointing part?
It was led by a course creator I really admire.
I’ve learned loads from him in the past, which is probably why I had such high expectations for the session.
But it felt unplanned.
There was too much talking.
And honestly? There just wasn’t enough value.
A lot of live sessions feel like this.
As a participant, I left feeling not only disappointed, but frustrated… Even a little angry. (And I never get angry! 😅)
Maybe you’ve had a similar experience?
But it happens! To all of us.
If you have had a session that didn’t land the way you hoped — you are not alone!
I’ve run my fair share of online sessions that didn’t go the way I planned.
And let’s be real: it’s way easier to spot the issues in someone else’s session than in your own. 🙄
So this isn’t about being judgy or critical.
Once you can name the problem, you can fix it.
The problem is that when your session falls flat, it’s not always obvious why.
You don’t always get honest feedback.
That’s why I’ve put together a quick 10-point self-audit.
These are the questions I ask myself when something feels off.
I hope it helps to spot where your sessions may be missing the mark, and gives you ideas on how to fix it:
1. 🎯 Expectation mismatch
Symptom: Blank stares, resistance, awkward silence
Fix: Clearly communicate the purpose and expectations at the start (and in the pre-session comms).
Quick Check: “Does everyone know why they are here and what’s expected of them?”
2. ⚡ Low energy
Symptom: Flat vibe, low engagement
Fix: Your energy sets the tone. Bring it! A little humour goes a long way.
Quick Check: “Am I bringing the energy I want them to feel?”
3. 🔥 Group not warmed up
Symptom: People are passive, hesitant
Fix: Assume their engagement switch is off. Give them an easy win early.
Quick Check: “Have I given them something easy and low-stakes to respond to at the start?”
4. 🎤 Not enough interaction
Symptom: Feels like a monologue
Fix: Cut your content. Prioritize discussion, breakouts, and shared insights.
Quick Check: “When’s the last time I heard a voice that wasn’t mine?”
5. 🤝 Lack of connection
Symptom: People don’t open up
Fix: Build in moments for real connection — early and often.
Quick Check: “Have I helped them connect with each other yet?”
6. 🎁 Too little value
Symptom: People leave thinking, “That wasn’t worth my time.”
Fix: Focus on one clear, useful takeaway they can use right away.
Quick Check: “What’s the one useful thing they’re walking away with today?”
7. 🕰️ Poor pacing
Symptom: Session drags or feels rushed
Fix: Plan your timing like your content. Leave space to breathe.
Quick Check: “Am I on track to end on time — with breathing room?”
8. 🛜 Tech troubles
Symptom: Awkward delays, clunky transitions
Fix: Test your setup. Keep it simple. Stay calm.
Quick Check: “Have I tested the 1–2 tech tools I’m relying on today?”
9. 🧠 Cognitive overload
Symptom: People look confused, distracted, or checked out
Fix: Stick to 1–2 key ideas. Use visuals. Pause to let things land.
Quick Check: “Did I give them a moment to digest or discuss this?”
10. 🏁 No clear next step
Symptom: People leave thinking, “So… now what?”
Fix: End with something concrete: a challenge, action, or reflection.
Quick Check: “Have I given them a simple, doable next step?”
We all run into these issues — even the most seasoned facilitators.
The more quickly you can diagnose what’s going on, the faster you can fix it.
Quick question for you:
When you think back to a session (yours or someone else’s) that missed the mark — which of these issues do you think was at play?
Hit reply and let me know — I’d love to hear what you noticed. 🙌
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/ 🧰 Parting A-ha. An easy closing prompt for online sessions to help you understand at least one takeaway for each person. I picked this one up from the book Rituals for Virtual Meetings , and I use it all the time.
2/ ✍️The Jenga Strategy. I loved this LinkedIn Post by Experience Designer Srishti Sehgal on how to strip down your learning design to the “wobble zone”.
3/ ✍️ 25 Ideas for Learning at Work That Are Not Lectures. A brilliant LinkedIn post from L&D legend Anamaria Dorgo with creative social and peer learning formats that are definitely not boring!
💌 Thanks for reading The Quest
I always love hearing your feedback and suggestions. Just hit reply to share your thoughts and ideas.
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Creatively yours,
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