The quiet before the wheel spins

It was one of those remote calls where the silence felt heavy. We needed to pick someone to lead the next client demo, and the usual volunteers were all looking at their cameras, waiting. You could feel the hesitation, the unspoken pressure of not wanting to step on toes or seem too eager.

When the options are all good

That’s the tricky part, really. Everyone on the list was perfectly capable. Sarah had the technical depth, Mark was great with clients, and Leo had run the last one flawlessly. There wasn’t a wrong choice, which somehow made it harder. The debate was starting to circle, polite but pointed, and I could see a few people starting to disengage.I remember thinking we were about to waste fifteen minutes of good energy on a decision that didn’t need a debate. The goal wasn’t to find the best person; it was to make a choice so we could all move on. I just wanted to cut through the tension before it settled in for good.

The spin that changed the air

I shared my screen with the wheel already loaded. I didn’t explain it much, just said we’d let it decide. There was a slight pause, then a few quiet nods. When I clicked ‘spin,’ for a second, we were all just watching this silly digital wheel turn. It wasn’t about the tool; it was about the shared focus on something neutral.It landed on Mark. And instead of the usual post-decision murmur or subtle disappointment, there was just… quiet. A good quiet. Shoulders relaxed on camera. Mark gave a quick, easy nod. The relief was palpable, not because he won, but because the burden of choosing was gone. The decision was made, it was fair, and no one had to defend their position.We moved into the agenda item in under a minute. The rest of the call had a different rhythm, lighter and more direct. It was a small thing, but it reminded me that sometimes facilitation isn’t about guiding people to an answer. It’s about removing the obstacle so they can find their way there themselves.