It is easy for the goal of a workshop or the product of an exercise to become the bit that matters. It is the part that organisers request as an Outcome and workshop facilitators know needs an Output.
However, every group of people will need to find some sense of alignment to work together. That will be explicit in chat and ‘messing around’. It will be implicit in moments of people taking time to observe or rest.
Every person will need time for self-care and cognitive regulation. They need time to think, to remember and to rest.
When planning workshops, think about how much time and space is needed for all of these parts.
Do not just impose a sequence of doing and making on people and then only provide time for that explicit action.
Leave time to breathe.
Time to be social.
Time to be human.