Most product managers spend hours every week in meetings. What if those meetings actually worked? In this episode of Product Chats, Douglas Ferguson, entrepreneur, technologist, and president of Voltage Control, shares the art and science behind great facilitation and why it’s one of the most critical skills for modern product professionals. Drawing from over 26 years of experience leading teams at organizations like Google, Nike, Adobe, and the U.S. Air Force, Douglas outlines a framework for crafting better meetings, stronger teams, and clearer outcomes.
You’ll learn:
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- The Five Qualities of Facilitation: Purpose, Inclusive, Clear, Crafted, and Adaptive
- The Power of Purpose: Why labeling your meeting as “informative,” “explorative,” “decisive,” or “team health” changes everything
- Measuring What Matters: From meeting sentiment to outcome effectiveness, Douglas explains how to track success beyond attendance
Douglas also explores the role of silence, optional meetings, and how to create truly inclusive environments – even for the skeptics in the room. This conversation is packed with tools you can start using in your next meeting.
Guest Bio
Douglas Ferguson is an entrepreneur and human-centered technologist with over 26 years of experience. He is the president of Voltage Control, a facilitation academy that trains leaders through certifications, workshops, and live practice communities. A former CTO, Douglas has worked with brands like Google, Gap, Adobe, and Tesla and authored The Magical Meeting. His mission is to help leaders stop running meetings and start facilitating better ones. Learn more at: voltagecontrol.com and facilitationlab.com
ABOUT PRAGMATIC INSTITUTE
Since 1993, Pragmatic Institute has provided training and professional development for product, design, and data professionals. Our comprehensive methods and Pragmatic Framework equip professionals with the skills to accelerate innovation, increase customer satisfaction, and bolster revenue. We offer online, in-person, and on-demand courses taught by industry experts with decades of experience.
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