Starting Strong: 3 Opening Prompts to Align Any Session

A December Round-up from The Facilitator's Promptbook Series

By Paul Nunesdea

Why Start with a Prompt?

The way you open a session shapes everything that follows. As facilitators, we know that the first moments of a meeting are not just about "getting started" — they're about setting the tone, creating shared expectations, and aligning intention with attention.

That's why I launched The Facilitator's Promptbook, a weekly series of visual, ready-to-use prompts designed to save time and spark insight at every stage of session design. Each Monday, I publish a new card — one question, one purpose, and a short, clear guide to when and how to use it.

This blog post looks back at the first three prompts released in December. Think of it as a mini-guide to setting up meaningful collaboration from the very first question.

Prompt #1

"If this session were wildly successful, what would change afterwards?"

Category: Framing & Purpose Definition
For: Facilitators and Hosts

This prompt is designed to clarify the deeper "why" behind any gathering. It invites hosts, sponsors, or facilitators to imagine success not as a vague goal or list of topics, but as tangible change: what's different because we met?

It's especially helpful in shifting focus from outputs ("We'll produce a document") to outcomes ("This decision will unblock the next phase of our project").

Use this prompt when:

• You're designing a session from scratch and want to anchor purpose

• A group is unclear why they're meeting at all

• Stakeholders need alignment on success criteria

"Success is not about what we talk about — it's about what happens next."

Prompt #2

"What would make this a good use of your time today?"

Category: Framing & Purpose Definition
For: Participants

This prompt empowers participants to name their expectations, which is critical for psychological engagement and personal investment.

When used at the beginning of a session — even in a quick check-in round — it helps surface invisible needs and creates space for the group to co-own the experience. It also gives facilitators valuable real-time insight into what matters most to the people in the room.

Use this prompt when:

• You sense low energy or unclear motivation

• You're facilitating diverse groups with different roles or priorities

• You want to create shared accountability for outcomes

"When people feel heard from the start, they show up differently throughout."

Prompt #3

"What's the one decision or shift you need from this group?"

Category: Framing & Purpose Definition
For: Hosts, Team Leads, Project Owners

This question is a focusing lens. It asks the session sponsor or host to prioritize outcomes and clarify decision-making expectations. In doing so, it often reveals hidden assumptions, unspoken agendas, or unrealistic hopes.

It's also a great way to make the facilitator's role easier: if you know what's really at stake, you can shape the flow to support it.

Use this prompt when:

• You're working with an executive sponsor or project owner

• A group is meeting under vague or conflicting goals

• You want to define "enough" for the session to be considered successful

"Good facilitation turns ambiguity into clarity. This question is your torch."

Why These Three First?

These initial prompts form a core opening triad for any meeting or session design process:

1. Clarify the "why" – so everyone knows the purpose.

2. Surface individual expectations – to meet people where they are.

3. Focus on real needs – so time is well spent and energy is directed.

They also reflect a shift in how we think about facilitation: not as a neutral process, but as a form of leadership — one that invites people into shared responsibility and meaning-making.

What's Next in the Promptbook Series?

In January, the focus moved toward scope, tone, and emotional framing. Each month has its own visual style and thematic arc. For example:

• 🟠 December: Purpose & Framing (Orange theme)

• 🍋 February: Stakeholder Mapping (Citrus Light palette)

• 🟣 March: Deeper Engagement & Storytelling (Lavender + Plum)

You can follow the full series on LinkedIn every Monday, or explore the collection through my store:

👉 Visit the store https://www.architectingcollaboration.com/store/
🔖 Or search the hashtag: #PromptbookSeries

One More Thing...

If you're a facilitator, coach, team lead, or collaboration architect — I'd love to hear how you're using these prompts. Have you adapted them? Combined them with your own practice? Are there moments they've helped transform a meeting?

Drop a comment, send a message, or share your own version — and let's keep growing the conversation.

Here's to better beginnings, one prompt at a time.

Paul Nunesdea
Facilitator | Meeting Doctor | Architect of Collaboration