The Power of Nature in Workshop Facilitation

At Inclusive Innovation, when we design and facilitate workshops, we rely on the 5Ps framework to guide our preparation. This approach helps ensure that no essential detail is overlooked, allowing us to create experiences that are thoughtful, intentional, and impactful. Each of the 5Ps serves as a guiding question:

– Purpose: Why are we holding this workshop, and why now?

– Person: Who should be part of this process? Who will bring new insights to the conversation?

– Product: What tangible or intangible outcome are we aiming to achieve?

– Process: How will we engage participants? Will it be in-person, virtual, or a blend of both? Is it a one-off meeting, or will it span several sessions?

– Press: What environment will foster the most creativity and productivity for the goal we have in mind?

While all Ps are critical to create successful outcomes, at Inclusive Innovation, we often give specific attention to Press, which focuses on the environment. While facilitators may not always control the venue, we’ve learned that the physical setting can profoundly influence workshop outcomes. And, one setting that has repeatedly proven powerful is the outdoors.

The Connection Between Nature and Creativity

Research shows that being in nature enhances well-being, creativity, and collaboration. Drawing from the philosophy of Deep Ecology, which promotes a deep connection between humans and the natural world, we see the potential for outdoor environments to foster a richer, more mindful workshop experience. Deep Ecology emphasizes that all life forms are interconnected and that our relationship with nature is more than utilitarian. It’s about recognizing our place within a larger ecosystem, how we are connected to each other and more broadly, to our natural environments.

By holding workshops in natural settings, participants can experience firsthand this sense of interconnectedness. The natural environment becomes a co-facilitator, fostering a different type of awareness that brings participants out of their routine and into the present moment.

Photo: Facilitating a session outside for the ASLP 10th Year Anniversary Workshop

Mindfulness and Presence in the Outdoors

Workshop activities held outdoors offer a unique opportunity to incorporate mindfulness and sensory awareness. In these settings, participants can slow down, listen to the sounds around them, and feel the textures of the trees and leaves beneath their fingertips. This mindfulness not only reduces stress but also encourages participants to open up more fully to the experience.

As facilitators, we notice that when people are physically immersed in nature, they tend to engage more openly with one another. The sense of presence that nature provides can foster deeper conversations and a greater sense of connection. This aligns well with the “Press” aspect of our 5Ps, as the natural environment creates the conditions for creativity, collaboration, and meaningful engagement.

Collaboration and Collective Well-Being

Deep Ecology emphasizes the well-being of ecosystems as a whole. Similarly, outdoor workshops encourage collective thinking and collaboration. When participants feel connected to the environment and recognize its interconnectedness, they naturally begin to think more collectively, understanding that their individual contributions matter, but the group’s shared purpose takes centre stage. The outdoor setting enhances this sense of shared responsibility and mutual respect.

The Benefits of Movement: Energizing the Mind

Another element we’ve integrated into our workshops is movement. As Montaigne famously wrote, “My thoughts grow sluggish when I sit still. My mind needs the movement of my legs to awaken it.” Incorporating physical activities, such as paired walking discussions or outdoor energizers, helps stimulate both body and mind. These practices encourage active thinking and foster more dynamic conversations, allowing ideas to flow more freely.

Movement, coupled with the outdoor setting, creates an ideal atmosphere for incubation—where participants can reflect slowly, process their thoughts, and allow insights to emerge naturally.

Photo: Our facilitators Tee & Sasi leading an energizing activity outdoors in Japan

Disconnecting to Connect

One of the greatest benefits of hosting workshops outdoors is the opportunity for participants to disconnect from the distractions of daily life —including smartphones and their email notifications— and reconnect with themselves and each other. The natural world invites a sense of awe, wonder, and playfulness, which are essential ingredients for creativity and innovation, all the while making workshops all the more sacred. Whether it’s through the quiet reflection of a forest walk or the energy of a group exercise, nature has a way of inspiring gratitude, imagination, and deep appreciation.

As facilitators, we’ve seen how this disconnection from routine and technology allows participants to reconnect in more meaningful ways—with their own ideas, with each other, and with the larger context of the work they are doing.

The benefits of integrating nature into workshop facilitation are profound. From fostering creativity and collaboration to promoting well-being and mindfulness, the outdoors offers a unique environment that aligns beautifully with our 5Ps framework—especially the Press element. By incorporating the principles of Deep Ecology, we can create workshops that not only engage participants intellectually but also nurture a deeper connection to themselves, each other, and the world around them.

3 Ideas to Bring the Outdoors into Your Workshops

When the weather cooperates, many workshop activities can easily be adapted for the outdoors. Here are a few examples.

1. Paired Walks with Reflective Prompts

When the energy dips and participants begin to feel tired, suggest a paired walk outside to reinvigorate both body and mind. Provide a reflective prompt related to your workshop theme, such as ‘What’s a key insight you’ve gained so far, and how might it apply to your work?’

For those who prefer solo reflection, encourage participants to take a walk alone, sit somewhere peaceful, and reflect on the prompt. Make sure they jot down their thoughts afterward. 

2. Outdoor Energizers

Many icebreaker activities can be seamlessly adapted to outdoor settings. Here are a couple of examples:

– Nature Scavenger Hunt: Create a short list of natural items to find, such as a uniquely shaped leaf or something that represents how they’re feeling about the upcoming workshop. Then, encourage them to share this with others.

– Human Compass: Have participants spread out and orient themselves physically based on a question. For example, “Face north if you consider yourself a morning person, south if you’re a night owl.” This gets people moving and laughing while learning more about each other.

3. Outdoor Forced ConnectionsTo encourage out-of-the-box thinking, try the forced connections technique, using the natural environment to inspire creativity. For example, ask participants to take a walk and reflect on a challenge using a unique perspective, like, “How would a deer solve this problem?” or “What would this tree suggest if it were part of the conversation?”. This will for sure bring unexpected perspectives to the conversation.