Mastering the Stacking Technique: A Simple Tool for Inclusive Facilitation
One of the most common challenges facilitators face is managing participants who tend to dominate discussions. Their frequent or lengthy contributions can unintentionally silence quieter voices, derail the agenda, and create frustration within the group.
As a result, facilitators often find themselves juggling time management and group dynamics instead of guiding meaningful dialogue.
This topic frequently comes up in our workshops and mentoring sessions—whether raised by Product Owners, Scrum Masters, or Project Managers. That’s where the stacking technique becomes a valuable tool.
As a result, facilitators often find themselves juggling time management and group dynamics instead of guiding meaningful dialogue.
This topic frequently comes up in our workshops and mentoring sessions—whether raised by Product Owners, Scrum Masters, or Project Managers. That’s where the stacking technique becomes a valuable tool.
Facilitators face this common challenge - ensuring that everybody has a chance to speak - especially in lively or high-stakes conversations. That’s where the stacking technique comes in.
This simple but powerful method helps facilitators manage turn-taking equitably, maintain flow, and ensure that all voices are heard.
What is Stacking?
Stacking is a technique where the facilitator creates a “stack” or queue of people who wish to speak. Rather than jumping in or speaking over one another, participants will get the space to speak.
As a facilitator, you will see a couple of participants who might be dominating the stage, and/or notice other participants indicating they want to contribute — often by raising a hand, using a gesture, or showing unease. Their mental energy is to find opportunities to speak.
This is where facilitators can apply stacking - a facilitator's tool for
As a facilitator, you will see a couple of participants who might be dominating the stage, and/or notice other participants indicating they want to contribute — often by raising a hand, using a gesture, or showing unease. Their mental energy is to find opportunities to speak.
This is where facilitators can apply stacking - a facilitator's tool for
helping people take turns when several people want to speak at once.
How to Use Stacking
Example 1: Managing a Dominant Voice Using the Stacking Technique
Context:
Context:
Andrea has been sharing his opinion repeatedly during a product discovery workshop, rephrasing the same points in different ways.
Step 1: Acknowledge and Redirect
Rather than cutting Andrea off, the facilitator acknowledges his contribution and gently opens space for others:
"Thank you, Andrea, for sharing your thoughts on the pros and cons of this product discovery option. What are some other perspectives we haven’t heard yet?"
Step 2: Build the Stack
As hands go up, the facilitator begins organizing the speaking queue:
"I see Alex—great, you’ll go first. Who else? Maya, you’ll go second. Amy, you’re next. Anyone else?"
Step 3: Invite Contributions One by One
The facilitator then guides the conversation in the established order:
"Okay, Alex, let’s hear your thoughts."
"Thanks, Alex. Maya, you're up next."
"Thank you, Maya. Amy, go ahead."
Step 4: Keep the Door Open
After the initial stack has shared, the facilitator invites additional voices:
"Who else would like to share?"
Example 2: Proactive Application
Before somebody starts to dominate, facilitators want to be proactive. We can start to use Stacking already.
Step 1: Introduce Stacking
"To make sure everyone’s heard, we’ll use a ‘stack.’ If you want to speak, just raise your hand or say ‘stack,’ and I’ll call on you in order.”
Then we can use Step 2 to Step 4 as outlined above.
Step 2: Build the Stack
Before somebody starts to dominate, facilitators want to be proactive. We can start to use Stacking already.
Step 1: Introduce Stacking
"To make sure everyone’s heard, we’ll use a ‘stack.’ If you want to speak, just raise your hand or say ‘stack,’ and I’ll call on you in order.”
Then we can use Step 2 to Step 4 as outlined above.
Step 2: Build the Stack
As hands go up, the facilitator begins organizing the speaking queue:
"I see Alex—great, you’ll go first. Who else? Maya, you’ll go second. Amy, you’re next. Anyone else?"
Step 3: Invite Contributions One by One
The facilitator then guides the conversation in the established order:
"Okay, Alex, let’s hear your thoughts."
"Thanks, Alex. Maya, you're up next."
"Thank you, Maya. Amy, go ahead."
Step 4: Keep the Door Open
After the initial stack has shared, the facilitator invites additional voices:
"Who else would like to share?"
Final Tip
Facilitation is a critical skill in both professional and informal settings, serving as a cornerstone for effective group communication, problem-solving, and decision-making.
Do you know that facilitation is one of the most thought after skills in companies? Great facilitation increases engagement.
About me - the Author
Before we delve deeper, if you've recently stumbled upon my blog and find yourself wondering, "Who is she?" "Why should I be reading her blogs?"
- I hold the designation of Certified Agile Coach (CAC) with the Scrum Alliance, the sole member-driven nonprofit certifying body in the agile space since 2001. Additionally, I am honored to have been recognized as both a Certified Team Coach and Certified Enterprise Coach with the Scrum Alliance for over a decade.
- Since 2011, I've been privileged to mentor Agile Coaches across the globe, guiding passionate practitioners from 80 countries (as of Nov. 2023) in their professional journeys. Among my mentees are Certified Agile Coaches, Certified Scrum Trainers (CST), Accredited Kanban Trainers, and individuals who share their expertise at conferences worldwide.
- Furthermore, I hold the Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential from the International Coaching Federation (ICF). I am also trained as an Advanced Certified Coach Mentor, and a professional coach supervisor. I specialize in providing coaching supervision for professional coaches to support their ongoing development.
- As the co-founder of the Enterprise Coaching Institute, an ICF accredited training provider, I am committed to offering coaching-based leadership training. Our aim is to empower leaders to excel by equipping them with professional coaching skills and to foster the growth of professional coaches in the industry.
I speak and keynote at international conferences since 2011 about organization transformation, Agile, leadership, agile coaching, and professional coaching.
Write your awesome label here.
Join our community
Thank you!
We have supported practitioners from 80 countries, and have monthly free activities for our community members.
Created with
