Show Up Well · 11 — Execution & Growth

Gear for the room where the work happens.

I have facilitated more than 90 leadership seminars, many inside facilities where you bring everything yourself and nothing can fail. The room teaches you what matters: people hear you, see the work, know each other's names, and stay on time. Here's a kit that covers it, plus the books that make a gathering worth showing up for.

Who this is for

Program directors, trainers, coaches, and anyone running cohorts, workshops, community meetings, or board retreats.

How to use this list

Build a 'go-bag' once: adapter, markers, badges, timer, and the speaker and clicker from the Show Up Well guide. Restock after every event so it's always ready.

Book · Paperback

The Art of Gathering

Priya Parker

Best for: Designing gatherings with purpose

How we meet and why it matters. Parker's case for a clear purpose behind every gathering will change how you design cohorts, retreats, and community meetings.

Put it to workWrite the specific purpose of your next event in one sentence before you plan the agenda.
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Book · Revised edition

The 4 Disciplines of Execution

Chris McChesney, Sean Covey & Jim Huling

Best for: Turning plans into weekly action

Focus on the wildly important, act on lead measures, keep a compelling scoreboard, and create a cadence of accountability. The bridge from annual plan to Monday morning.

Put it to workPick one wildly important goal for your program this quarter and one lead measure your team controls.
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Book · Hardcover

The Advantage

Patrick Lencioni

Best for: Building organizational health

Argues organizational health beats smarts: a cohesive leadership team, clarity, over-communication, and reinforcing systems. As you grow from founder to team, this is the playbook.

Put it to workAnswer Lencioni's six critical questions with your leadership team in one sitting.
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Book · Hardcover

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team

Patrick Lencioni

Best for: Teams that avoid conflict

A leadership fable about trust, conflict, commitment, accountability, and results. Short enough for a whole staff or board to read before a retreat.

Put it to workRead it as a team and discuss which dysfunction shows up most in your meetings.
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Gear · Speakerphone

EMEET M0 Plus Conference Speakerphone

EMEET

Best for: Hybrid meetings and board calls

A conference speaker with multiple mics for 360-degree pickup, so remote board members can actually hear the room.

Put it to workPut it in the center of the table and ask remote attendees for a sound check before you start.
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Gear · Portable projector

Nebula Capsule 3 Projector

Nebula (Anker)

Best for: Showing slides or video anywhere

A small portable projector with a travel case. Useful for community rooms, partner sites, and pop-up trainings that don't come with AV.

Put it to workTest it in the actual room ahead of time; ambient light changes everything.
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Supplies · Easel pads

Post-it Super Sticky Easel Pad

Post-it (3M)

Best for: Facilitation and visible thinking

Large sheets that stick to walls, so a group's thinking stays visible all session. A staple for strategy sessions, cohorts, and board retreats.

Put it to workPhotograph every sheet at the end of the session and send the photos with your notes.
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Supplies · Markers

EXPO Low-Odor Dry Erase Markers, Chisel Tip

EXPO

Best for: Whiteboards in any room

Low-odor markers for whiteboards and reusable surfaces. Bring your own; the ones in the room are always dry.

Put it to workKeep a set in your go-bag and replace them the week they start to fade.
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Gear · Label printer

Brother QL-800 Label Printer

Brother

Best for: Name badges, file labels & mailings

A fast label printer for name badges, file folders, and mailing labels. Names on chests change how a room connects.

Put it to workPrint name badges with first names large enough to read from across the room.
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Gear · Visual timer

Time Timer 8-inch Visual Timer

Time Timer

Best for: Keeping sessions and breakouts on time

A visual countdown everyone in the room can see. Respecting people's time is a form of respect, period.

Put it to workUse it for breakouts and report-outs so the facilitator isn't the clock.
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Questions founders ask

What's essential for a small nonprofit training?

A clear purpose, a way to be heard, a way to show the work, and names on people. Everything else is optional.

Can I use these inside correctional facilities?

Every facility has its own rules on electronics and supplies. Always get the equipment list approved in advance.

Building an organization? Score it against all 28 items on THE BUILD LIST™. Read how I choose what goes on the shelf.