Facilitation: Various Flavors

Where Complex Conversations Transform Into Breakthrough Solutions

Think of facilitation as the art of helping smart people get out of their own way with a structured process, strategic interventions, and just enough humor to keep things moving forward.

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The Art of Facilitation

Guiding Conversations That Matter (Without the Drama)

When important decisions are on the line and multiple perspectives need to be heard, effective facilitation makes all the difference between a painful stalemate and productive progress.

Consider me the organizational equivalent of air traffic control: keeping everything moving safely while preventing collisions, all with a calm voice and a touch of humanity when things get turbulent.

"Sam's performative brilliance and self-effacing humor tend to mask his more serious intellectual contributions to our field."

— Jim M., Founder and General Counsel of Mediate.com

My Approach to Facilitation

Thorough preparation that identifies underlying concerns before the meeting begins

Custom-designed processes specifically tailored to your culture and challenges

Skilled neutrality that creates space for all voices to be heard with equal respect

Strategic interventions that transform circular debates into productive dialogue

Results orientation focused on clear agreements and actionable next steps

What you can expect

Strategic insights that identifies underlying concerns and designs a custom process tailored to your specific situation

Skilled neutrality that earns stakeholder trust while ensuring all voices receive equal consideration

Strategic meeting design that balances technical expertise with diverse perspectives for maximum engagement

Purposeful interventions that transform circular debates into productive dialogue with creative problem-solving techniques

Transparent documentation that clearly captures decisions, commitments, and accountability measures

Adaptive management of sensitive dynamics, whether organizational politics or public attention

Results-oriented focus that moves beyond positions to practical solutions with implementation support

"Mr. Imperati is, without a question, the best trainer I have encountered... His ability to understand his audience's working environment, and adapt his material accordingly, is amazing. His energy, humor, and rapport with his audience make him remarkably effective. He makes complex concepts clear and stimulates learning by enticing the audience to participate."

— James C., First Vice President, Institute of Internal Auditors

Effective Private Facilitation Services

Navigating Difficult Conversations with Purpose

When your team faces critical decisions complicated by competing priorities or relationship dynamics, my facilitation services create the structured environment needed for productive dialogue and sustainable outcomes.

Ideal for

Executive team alignment on strategic direction

Board governance challenges and role clarification

Cross-functional collaboration on complex initiatives

Organizational restructuring discussions

High-stakes decision-making processe

Leadership team development

"Sam's integrity is an asset to any project."

– City of Portland Unreinforced Masonry Building Process.

"I vote for Sam."

– PDX Airport Futures Process Evaluation Question: Best consultant or Facilitator

Public Policy Facilitation

Building Consensus When the Stakes Are Highest

For the most challenging projects in the public eye, I bring 30+ years of experience helping public and private stakeholders work collaboratively to achieve shared goals and overcome seemingly intractable challenges.

I've successfully facilitated numerous complex, high-stakes processes in the political spotlight. They have included public policy, natural resources, forest management, water, land use, social, and economic issues. I enjoy the confidence of sponsors, stakeholders, and the public alike—a trust built through consistent neutrality and results.

Ideal for

Multi-stakeholder public policy initiatives and disputes

Environmental and natural resource management

Urban planning and development projects

Community engagement processes

Regulatory negotiations

Cross-agency collaborations

The ICM Difference in Facilitation

I combine classic facilitation techniques with result-oriented mediation tools to help polarized participants reach a consensus. Fair process is fundamental to equitable outcomes. A good process shouldn't help or hurt either side of an argument.

The process should be outcome-agnostic.

In other words, I don't put my thumb on the scale. My job isn't to steer toward a particular outcome but to ensure the journey there is fair, transparent, and productive for everyone involved. Neutrality isn't just a buzzword; it's the cornerstone of everything I do.

Ready to transform challenging conversations into productive solutions?

Let's discuss how facilitated dialogue can replace tension with clarity, conflict with collaboration, and impasse with progress.

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"I'd like to thank you for your efforts regarding access management. Development and management of a process that produced a draft rule implementing the department's access management policies is a major accomplishment on your part. The fact that you accomplished this during a legislative session further demonstrates your expertise, perseverance, and patience."

— Grace C., former Transportation Department Director

"Thank you for your dedication and professionalism while facilitating my Vehicle Emissions Workgroup. Your patience, hard work and commitment are deeply appreciated by my staff and me."

— Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski

"I really appreciate all your very hard work on projects like the Columbia Gorge visibility strategy, the Boardman mercury rule, and especially on the Dairy Task Force where you helped that group reach consensus against all odds. Your insight and expertise were essential to our success on these projects. I know you go the extra mile for the DEQ time and again, and we really appreciate your professionalism, dedication, and humor."

— Dick P., former State Agency Director

Family or Closely-Held Business Drama Eating Your Profits?

Download our proven ICM’s Conflict Resolution Navigator guide proven to transform costly business conflicts into growth opportunities - without expensive lawyers or endless therapy sessions.

In this guide you will discover:

How to get to the heart of every argument (including the exact questions to ask)

31 questions you can ask to turn any business drama into a growth engine

The exact communication blueprint I use to help closely held businesses make tough decisions that increase profits

Try this yourself. I hope it works, but if you need coaching or someone impartial to help your business, please contact me. Many wish they would have called sooner… Just Sayin’!