Virtual Facilitation Practice

A safe space for connection and experiential learning

Facilitating with Presence

Leadership Presence for Facilitators

Facilitators carry the emotional temperature of the room, the pace of progress, and the sense of trust that allows people to participate fully. Subtle signals such as posture, vocal tone, pacing, and eye contact shape trust, authority, and psychological safety throughout a session.

Many facilitators already design thoughtful sessions and ask strong questions. Intentional preparation on presence helps elevate the whole experience.

This dynamic session will offer facilitators an opportunity to explore the art of Leadership Presence as it applies to facilitation. Together, we will focus on style, presence, and nonverbal communication so facilitators can guide conversations with greater ease. You'll get practical tools you can can apply immediately, along with a deeper awareness of how a default presence influences engagement and outcomes.

During this session, facilitators will:

• Increase awareness of how nonverbal communication influences group dynamics and participation;
• Explore leadership presence as a grounded, human experience that can be shaped and developed;
• Practice techniques for physical alignment, vocal clarity, and pacing that supports facilitation;
• Learn new ways to use pauses, movement, and eye contact to guide attention and energy in a group;
• Reflect on how their facilitation persona supports trust, credibility, and connection

The session will blend teaching moments with reflection, real-time practice, and peer learning to ensure insights translate into action.

In Preparation

Before the workshop, participants are invited to spend a few minutes reflecting on their own facilitation presence. These questions are designed to build awareness, not judgment, and to surface patterns that often operate just below conscious attention.

• How do people typically respond to my presence in the first few minutes of a session?
• What does my body tend to do when I feel confident while facilitating?
• What does my body tend to do when I feel uncertain, rushed, or challenged?
• How do I intentionally use my voice, pace, and pauses when guiding a group?
• What nonverbal habits might be helping participants feel safe and engaged?
• What might be unintentionally creating distance or confusion?
• What kind of presence do I want participants to experience when I am facilitating?

Consider viewing this incredibly insightful TedEx talk that accurately demonstrates the power of non-verbal communication over content:

Our Guest Facilitator
Salvatore Manzi is a leadership communications coach who helps leaders bring clarity and confidence to the way they communicate. With over twenty years of experience, he has supported leaders in strengthening presence, storytelling, and influence in high-stakes environments. His work blends cognitive psychology, practical frameworks, and a deep respect for the vulnerability that comes with leading others.