Host Help Center
How can we help you lead the conversation?
Before the session
Your role as Host, the Host Guide, the pre-read, what to send participants beforehand, and how much of yourself to bring to the conversation.
Quick answer
You don't need to be an expert. Discovery Discussions are built on the belief that teams learn best by reflecting on their own experiences together.
- Your job is to guide the conversation, ask thoughtful questions, and help everyone participate.
Quick answer
Yes. The Host Guide is designed to prepare you for the conversation and answer many of the questions that commonly arise.
- Reading it beforehand will help you feel more confident and allow the discussion to flow naturally.
Quick answer
Feel free to connect the discussion to your team's everyday work and experiences.
- Personal examples and relevant questions can make the conversation more meaningful while still following the overall structure of the Host Guide.
Quick answer
Review the Host Guide before your session, complete the pre-read yourself, and become familiar with the discussion questions and flow.
- You don't need to memorize the content. Your role is to create a meaningful conversation, not deliver a presentation.
Quick answer
Model the level of openness you hope to see from others.
- Sharing challenges, lessons learned, or moments of growth can encourage meaningful dialogue, but only share what feels appropriate and professional.
Quick answer
Yes. Brief, authentic examples often help participants feel comfortable sharing their own experiences.
- Your role is to create space for discussion, so keep your stories concise and always bring the focus back to the group.
Quick answer
Yes. The pre-read introduces the key ideas so participants arrive ready to reflect and contribute. The Discovery Discussion builds on those ideas rather than introducing them for the first time.
- If they don't, the discussion can still be successful. Spend a few extra minutes introducing the core concept and encourage participants to learn through the conversation.
- Avoid putting anyone on the spot for not completing the pre-read.
Quick answer
A host creates the conditions for a candid, disciplined, and useful conversation.
- The host is responsible for opening the session, establishing the discussion agreements, and asking the provided questions.
- Inviting balanced participation, keeping the group focused, and managing time.
- Protecting psychological and conversational safety, capturing required outputs, and explaining the next step accurately.
Quick answer
Hosts should send participants the meeting invitation, participant pre-read, and any preparation instructions provided by Academy Within.
During the discussion
What to do when nobody talks, one person dominates, people disagree, someone becomes emotional or the conversation goes off track — and how to keep the group safe, balanced and on time.
Quick answer
Model curiosity, listen without judgment, thank participants for contributing, and avoid evaluating or criticizing responses.
- Remind the group that there are no right or wrong answers and that every perspective is valuable.
Quick answer
Model curiosity, listen without judgment, thank participants for contributing, and avoid evaluating or criticizing responses.
- Remind the group that there are no right or wrong answers and that every perspective is valuable.
Quick answer
Your primary role is to facilitate the discussion, not teach a lesson.
- Ask thoughtful questions, encourage reflection, and help participants learn from one another.
- The conversation is often more valuable than additional instruction.
Quick answer
Your primary role is to facilitate the discussion, not teach a lesson.
- Ask thoughtful questions, encourage reflection, and help participants learn from one another.
- The conversation is often more valuable than additional instruction.
Quick answer
Yes. A meaningful conversation is more valuable than rushing through every question.
- Focus on the quality of the discussion rather than completing every prompt.
Quick answer
Yes. A meaningful conversation is more valuable than rushing through every question.
- Focus on the quality of the discussion rather than completing every prompt.
Quick answer
You may invite quieter participants to contribute, but never pressure them.
What to say
Would anyone who hasn't shared yet like to add something?
Why this works: Questions like this create opportunities while respecting individual comfort levels.
Quick answer
You may invite quieter participants to contribute, but never pressure them.
What to say
Would anyone who hasn't shared yet like to add something?
Why this works: Questions like this create opportunities while respecting individual comfort levels.
Quick answer
If there is a significant misunderstanding of the core concept, gently clarify it using the language from the Host Guide or pre-read.
- Otherwise, allow participants to explore ideas through discussion rather than immediately providing the "right" answer.
Quick answer
Respectful disagreement can lead to meaningful learning.
- Encourage participants to stay curious, listen to understand one another, and focus on learning from different perspectives rather than convincing others they are right.
Quick answer
Facilitate the discussion the same way you would with any other group.
- Encourage balanced participation and avoid allowing organizational hierarchy to influence whose perspectives are heard.
Quick answer
Facilitate the discussion the same way you would with any other group.
- Encourage balanced participation and avoid allowing organizational hierarchy to influence whose perspectives are heard.
Quick answer
Give participants a few moments to think before jumping in. Silence is often part of reflection.
- If needed, ask a more specific follow-up question, invite participants to think about a recent work experience, or share a brief example of your own to help get the conversation started.
- You can also restate the question or invite participants to reflect in pairs before returning to the full group.
- Avoid calling on individuals unexpectedly; focus on creating a comfortable space where participation is encouraged, not forced.
Quick answer
Thank them for sharing, then intentionally invite others into the conversation. Your role is to create space for everyone to participate.
- You might also say, "Let's hear from someone who hasn't had a chance to share yet."
What to say
I'd love to hear a few other perspectives.
Why this works: It intentionally invites others into the conversation — your role is to create space for everyone to participate.
Quick answer
Different perspectives are expected and often make the discussion stronger.
- Encourage participants to explore why they see things differently and what they can learn from one another.
- The goal is greater awareness, not agreement.
Quick answer
Allow the participant space to share if they choose, and respond with empathy rather than trying to solve the situation.
- Thank them for their willingness to be open, then gently bring the conversation back to the group when appropriate.
Quick answer
Allow the participant space to share if they choose, and respond with empathy rather than trying to solve the situation.
- Thank them for their willingness to be open, then gently bring the conversation back to the group when appropriate.
Quick answer
Acknowledge the value of what's being shared, then gently guide the group back to the discussion question.
- The Host Guide provides a roadmap, but it's okay if conversations naturally branch out for a few minutes before returning to the topic.
Quick answer
Wrap up by summarizing the key themes that emerged and remind participants of the next step in the Discovery Discussion experience.
- The next step includes completing their Habit Builder and any required follow-up activities.
Quick answer
Wrap up by summarizing the key themes that emerged and remind participants of the next step in the Discovery Discussion experience.
- The next step includes completing their Habit Builder and any required follow-up activities.
After the conversation
The Habit Builder: why a discussion stays incomplete, encouraging participation when it drops, and what you can and cannot see of participants' journal responses.
Quick answer
You won't see individual participant journal responses. Hosts cannot identify which participant submitted a specific response.
- You may receive anonymized themes from the group's responses to help guide the discussion and shape the group commitment.
- Hosts may receive information that helps identify overall team themes and shape future conversations, but individual journal responses remain anonymized.
Quick answer
You won't see individual participant journal responses. Hosts cannot identify which participant submitted a specific response.
- You may receive anonymized themes from the group's responses to help guide the discussion and shape the group commitment.
- Hosts may receive information that helps identify overall team themes and shape future conversations, but individual journal responses remain anonymized.
Quick answer
Lead by example by completing your own Habit Builder consistently.
- Remind participants that each reflection only takes a minute or two and encourage them to focus on consistent practice rather than perfect participation.
Quick answer
Lead by example by completing your own Habit Builder consistently.
- Remind participants that each reflection only takes a minute or two and encourage them to focus on consistent practice rather than perfect participation.
Quick answer
This is common with any new habit. The goal is steady progress over time.
- A simple reminder, sharing something you've personally noticed, or asking participants what they're observing can help renew engagement.
Quick answer
This is common with any new habit. The goal is steady progress over time.
- A simple reminder, sharing something you've personally noticed, or asking participants what they're observing can help renew engagement.
Quick answer
A discussion may remain incomplete when one or more participants have not submitted their commitments or required responses.
- Confirm that everyone, including the Host, has completed the required step.
Quick answer
A discussion may remain incomplete when one or more participants have not submitted their commitments or required responses.
- Confirm that everyone, including the Host, has completed the required step.
Account & access
Scheduling your discussion, a missing scheduling email or a link that no longer works, password resets, and changing a Host or a participant's group through Academy Within.
Quick answer
Yes. Send Academy Within the name and correct email address of the replacement Host so the original assignment can be removed and the new person can be properly set up.
Quick answer
Yes. Send Academy Within the name and correct email address of the replacement Host so the original assignment can be removed and the new person can be properly set up.
Quick answer
Sometimes. If your account is not activating correctly, Academy Within may send a password-reset email.
Quick answer
Sometimes. If your account is not activating correctly, Academy Within may send a password-reset email.
Quick answer
If you've been selected as a Host, you'll get an email with your own scheduling link.
- Open the scheduling email and click your personalized scheduling link.
- Choose the date and time that works for your group.
- Complete the requested information, then confirm.
- Once you see the confirmation screen, your Discovery Discussion is scheduled.
Quick answer
If you've been selected as a Host, you'll get an email with your own scheduling link.
- Open the scheduling email and click your personalized scheduling link.
- Choose the date and time that works for your group.
- Complete the requested information, then confirm.
- Once you see the confirmation screen, your Discovery Discussion is scheduled.
Quick answer
First, check your spam or junk folder. If you still can't find the email, contact Academy Within to confirm your email address and request that your personalized scheduling invitation be resent.
- Please don't use or forward another Host's link, as each scheduling link is unique.
Quick answer
First, check your spam or junk folder. If you still can't find the email, contact Academy Within to confirm your email address and request that your personalized scheduling invitation be resent.
- Please don't use or forward another Host's link, as each scheduling link is unique.
Quick answer
Contact Academy Within for a new scheduling email.
- Older links may no longer work, particularly if the discussion or account has been reset.
Quick answer
Contact Academy Within for a new scheduling email.
- Older links may no longer work, particularly if the discussion or account has been reset.
Quick answer
Send Academy Within the participant's name and the correct Host or group assignment. The participant can be reassigned so reporting remains accurate.
Quick answer
Send Academy Within the participant's name and the correct Host or group assignment. The participant can be reassigned so reporting remains accurate.
