Creating Communities of Practice

You’ve seen it before—a group forms around a shared interest or challenge, full of energy and good intentions. But over time, meetings fizzle, participation drops, and the group loses direction. It’s frustrating when a space for support and learning feels like just another meeting with little purpose.

This happens in many organizations. Communities of practice are groups that meet regularly to share knowledge, solve problems, and improve their work. When well supported, they can strengthen collaboration and lead to new ideas. But without clear structure, purpose, and skilled facilitation, these groups often lose momentum and, with it, the chance to learn from each other.

This workshop gives you the tools and strategies to build and lead a thriving community of practice. You’ll learn how to define your group’s purpose, set a foundation for success, and create a space where people feel safe and motivated to share. You’ll also explore practical facilitation skills to guide conversations and keep the group engaged over time.

By the end of the session, you’ll be ready to create an inclusive and engaging space where people learn from one another, solve real problems together, and build lasting connections. Whether you’re starting a new group or supporting an existing one, you’ll leave with the tools and clarity to make your community of practice a meaningful part of your workplace.

What You Will Learn

Explain what a community of practice is and identify the factors contributing to its long-term success.
Recognize the essential elements needed to launch and sustain an active, engaged group.
Recognize the role of a facilitator in guiding and supporting a community of practice.
Create a space that encourages trust and open conversation.
Apply active listening and effective questioning techniques to engage participants and guide discussion.
Develop facilitation techniques to keep meetings focused and inclusive.
Use strategies to sustain momentum and manage group interactions over time.
Respond effectively to common facilitation challenges and difficult situations.

Who Should Attend

This workshop is for anyone responsible for launching, sustaining, or renewing a community of practice. It’s well suited to team leaders, facilitators, and professionals aiming to enhance learning and knowledge-sharing cultures.

You should attend if you

Are starting a community of practice and want a strong foundation
Support an existing group that’s losing momentum or struggling to stay focused
Facilitate peer learning or professional development groups and want fresh strategies
Are looking to build engagement, trust, and long-term value in collaborative spaces

By the end of this session, you will have practical tools to lead a community that supports learning and connection. You will be better equipped to keep people engaged, focused, and purposefully working together.

Workshop Format

This interactive session is designed to help you explore how communities of practice form, grow, and support shared learning. You’ll reflect on your current workplace knowledge-sharing habits and examine case studies of successful communities. Through structured discussions, planning tools, and scenario-based activities, you’ll explore what it takes to support a thriving, self-sustaining learning group.

You’ll also take away a practical workbook with tools, examples, and checklists to use back on the job.