Methods Hold Meaning
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When we aren’t consciously choosing forms and structures for our group interactions that match the vision, values, and purpose of the work, we tend to default to dominant methods such as lectures and presentations.
Increasingly, presenters are integrating interactive techniques into lectures and presentations to make them more engaging, which is great, but the fundamental messages inherent in these dominant forms remain intact. Essentially what lectures and presentations communicate is that knowledge and expertise is concentrated in a limited number of people who the rest of us must rely on to show us the way forward. Even with interactive elements peppered in, there is an assumption that the presenter holds the “right” answer that s/he is trying to get the group to see.
When, on the other hand, we are guided by a vision for the world made more real with every group interaction we have the honor of facilitating, we can consciously choose forms and structures that contribute to that vision. I am guided by a vision of a living democracy in which communities, often denied access to decision-making power, come together to collectively solve the challenges they face. The values that flow from this vision include: Mutuality, Deep Listening, Interconnection, Healing and Reparations.
Given the challenges we face, the message needed now is: Everyone holds a piece of the map. Real change is possible when we connect in real ways, heal together from the trauma of disconnection, and work together to find solutions to our shared problems. This is why I often choose the circle as the primary structure for the group interactions I facilitate. Circles seed powerful messages of interdependence. Being ‘in circle’ together communicates the message that all our voices, experiences, and ways of being contribute to the success of the collective. The circle reminds us that we are part of a larger natural order in which life evolves through cycles of time. But the circle is not the only useful form.
The key is making conscious choices about form and structure with the intention of seeding the elements of our vision and values in everything we do. The matrix below offers a snapshot of various forms and structures with the messages, values, and purposes seeded within each.
HOW TO USE THIS MATRIX:
- Read through the matrix to get a sense of what’s possible by employing different forms and structures for group interactions
- Think of an actual process you are charged with facilitation and get clear:
- What is the larger vision vision inspiring the process?
- What are the values that flow from that vision?
- What is the purpose (driving motivation + role) of the process you will be facilitating in helping to advance that vision?
- Given the vision, values, and purpose at the heart of the process you will be facilitating, what messages do participants need to receive in order to help advance the purpose?
- Identify the form/structure for group interaction that best matches the values, purpose, and messages core to the process you will be facilitating.
- If you do not see a form that sufficiently matches your process, consider:
- How might you adapt one of the following forms to better match your process?
- Or identify another form or structure that better seeds the vision, values, purpose and messages key to your process (inspired by what DOESN’T work in the following forms and structures)
- Continually add forms and structures to the following matrix as you grow your tool set, naming the values, purpose and inherent messages in each new form/structure you add.
Method |
Values |
Purpose |
Messages |
Lecture or presentationAn expert delivers content from the front of the room, sometimes using visuals |
Hierarchy Separation Respect Genius Individualism |
To impart information To inspire people through the example of someone else’s discoveries To justify or reinforce the leadership of the presenter |
→ Knowledge is power and some people have more knowledge that others → One day maybe some of you could achieve that level of expertise |
Method |
Values |
Purpose |
Messages |
Panel of expertsA small group of experts respond to prompts offered by a mediator in front of an audience |
Hierarchy Experience Respect Diversity |
To impart information from multiple perspectives To highlight the leadership of a set of people |
→ Knowledge is power and some people have more knowledge that others → There are different perspectives on the same topic |
Method |
Values |
Purpose |
Messages |
Question & AnswerAn audience has a limited time to ask questions of a speaker or panel |
Hierarchy Curiosity Learning Accountability |
To allow for limited participation |
→ You have questions, they have answers → What you want to know is important |
Method |
Values |
Purpose |
Messages |
Fishbowl ConversationA group of people have a conversation in the middle of the room. Everyone outside the circle is learning from the conversation and reflects on what they hear |
Dialogue Learning Reflection Perspective Pluralism Diversity |
To deepen listening To connect the dots between different perspectives To cultivate reflection |
→ There is value in dialogue and the relationships between multiple perspectives → Your perspective on what you hear is important → We are somehow in this together and we are trying to figure it out |
Method |
Values |
Purpose |
Messages |
Pair ShareTwo people talk (either face to face or back to back) for a limited time with a focused prompt |
Connection Process Mutuality Reciprocity Deep Listening Relationship |
To give people space and time to process their ideas To harvest insights from deeper conversations or personal stories that might not otherwise be shared whole group To cultivate deeper connections in the room |
→ Your ideas, stories, experiences, and inner thoughts are valuable → You deserve to be fully heard |
Method |
Values |
Purpose |
Messages |
Appreciative InquiryIn small groups, people explore a given topic by reflecting on what has worked. Groups share out and discuss |
Gratitude Memory Insight Interconnection |
To develop a strategy To identify principles and practices for creative problem-solving To establish shared principles and practices for any given lesson or project |
→ Our experiences hold clues to help us navigate the path ahead → Let’s focus on what works |
Method |
Values |
Purpose |
Messages |
Jig-Saw InquirySmall groups each conduct unique reading or research on a shared topic and then teach each other what they have learned |
Inquiry Research Shared learning Interdependence |
To level the knowledge base of the group relevant to a shared purpose or objective To create opportunities for differentiated yet shared learning |
→ We are all experts → We learn best together and from one another |
Method |
Values |
Purpose |
Messages |
Rotating Fishbowl ConversationAn open chair is left in the middle so that people on the outside listening can join the fishbowl at any point they feel moved to contribute to the conversation |
Dialogue Learning Reflection Perspective Pluralism Diversity Inclusion Interconnection Shared learning |
To spark a collective inquiry that values all perspectives To explore big questions via multiple perspectives To identify where are and where we can go from here |
→ We all have something to contribute → Our experiences are valuable and interconnected → Answers can be found at the intersections of our unique experiences and perspectives |
Method |
Values |
Purpose |
Messages |
Inner Circle, Outer CircleStanding face to face in concentric circles, people participate in a series of one-on-one conversations as one circle rotates in one direction after each prompt |
Connection Process Mutuality Reciprocity Deep Listening Relationship Shared learning Perspective |
To initiate or close a session with depth of connection between multiple people in the room To foster connection across distinct experiences To identify unique and shared values To activate prior knowledge |
→ We all have something to contribute → Our experiences are valuable and interconnected → Answers can be found at the intersections of our unique experiences and perspectives → Reality is made up of relationships and perspectives |
Method |
Values |
Purpose |
Messages |
Mingle with Small Group PromptsAs music plays, people move around the room silently, making eye contact with one another, until the music stops and they link with whomever is closest and respond to a prompt |
Connection Mutuality Reciprocity Listening Relationship Shared learning Perspective Serendipity |
To initiate or close a session with depth of connection between multiple people in the room To foster connection across distinct experiences To identify unique and shared values To activate prior knowledge To spark joy |
→ Who we are and how we relate to each other matters → Joy and connected are core to our work together → Each person is a window into new insights |
Method |
Values |
Purpose |
Messages |
Question MinglePeople write one question on a strip of paper that they’d like to ask others in the room, then mingle asking each other their questions and trading questions once each has responded |
Connection Mutuality Reciprocity Listening Relationship Shared learning Perspective Serendipity |
To initiate or close a session with inquiry and depth of connection between multiple people in the room To foster connection across distinct experiences To activate prior knowledge To identify unique and shared perspective and values To harvest insights from the group |
→ Who we are and how we relate to each other matters → Joy and connected are core to our work together → Each person is a window into new insights → Answers can be found at the intersections of our unique experiences and perspectives → Your ideas, stories, experiences, and inner thoughts are valuable → What you want to know is important |
Method |
Values |
Purpose |
Messages |
Talking CircleEach person has a chance to share around the circle, often using a talking piece to emphasize the power of the word and speaking from the heart |
Connection Interdependence Mutuality Deep Listening Relationship Wisdom Healing |
To open up the group to share deeply from each person’s own experience To create space for genuine sharing and deep listening To hold ourselves accountable in a real way to a shared challenge To build community and sacred responsibility |
→ Our words and experiences carry power → We are each valuable just by being present → By being present in the circle, you help carry the load of another, and others help carry your load |
Method |
Values |
Purpose |
Messages |
Peer ConsultancyOne person shares a challenge they are grappling with, which serves as a springboard for a group conversation, usually starting with clarifying questions and ending with the person reflecting back what they gathered |
On-going Learning Turning towards each other Connection Interdependence Mutuality |
To access group knowledge to push through challenges To surface challenges that people are grappling with and generate possible paths forward To build a culture of peer learning, inquiry, listening, and authenticity |
→ Through challenges we deepen our capacity → Your challenges hold insights for my own challenges → We are the experts we have been looking for |
Method |
Values |
Purpose |
Messages |
Interactive Games with Focused ReflectionThe group plays a game that serves as a microcosm of some dynamic they experience in the real world. The facilitator asks both broad questions like, What happened? Or what did you observe? And focused questions like, “What lessons does this game hold for X situation in the real world? |
Play Spontaneity Awareness Joy Reflection Risk-taking Naturalness Interdependence Trust Imagination Team work |
To catalyze deeper conversation and analysis To deepen trust and relationships To shift dynamics in the direction of new possibilities |
→ We are complex beings → The world is a game and we are all players → Work can be dynamic and joyful; it’s all about how you approach it → We are in this together, even when we are opposing sides |
Method |
Values |
Purpose |
Messages |
Mock Press ConferenceSmall teams support individuals to serve as spokespeople for a given perspective on a topic and then carry out a mock press conference on the topic (the spokespeople could be historical figures, current leaders, or the actual characters in the room) |
Reflection Risk-taking Interdependence Trust Imagination Team work Strategic Thinking Multiple perspectives |
To learn from a given perspective (historical figure, current leader) by embodying them To deeply explore a given topic from multiple perspectives To cultivate the practices of team To rehearse for real-life speaking opportunities To develop a strategic narrative |
→ We can all play the part if we need to → It takes a team to build a leader → Narrative is a strategic practice |
Method |
Values |
Purpose |
Messages |
Small Group Problem SolvingSandwiched between whole group dialogue and reflection on a given issue, small groups work together to develop possible solutions that they share out with the larger group |
Reflection Risk-taking Collaboration Trust Creativity Team work Strategic Thinking |
To catalyze deeper conversation and analysis To deepen trust and relationships To shift dynamics in the direction of new possibilities To cultivate internal leadership and group-driven solutions To cultivate shared ownership and responsibility over shared challenges |
→ With our combined skills and perspectives we can solve any challenge |
Method |
Values |
Purpose |
Messages |
Theater-Based DialogueIn large or small groups, people assume characters and scenarios from real life that allow the group to explore reality from different perspectives and try-on possible solutions that can be debriefed and applied to actual strategies |
Reflection Risk-taking Interdependence Trust Imagination Team work Strategic Thinking Multiple perspectives Play Spontaneity Awareness Joy Naturalness |
To develop a strategy rooted in a shared analysis of current realities To generate and “try-on” a variety of possible solutions to a given challenge To engage in creative visioning To catalyze deeper conversation and analysis To deepen trust and relationships To shift dynamics in the direction of new possibilities To cultivate internal leadership and group-driven solutions To cultivate shared ownership and responsibility over shared challenges |
→ We can all play the part if we need to → With our combined skills and perspectives we can solve any challenge → We are complex beings → The world is a game and we are all players → Work can be dynamic and joyful; it’s all about how you approach it → We are in this together, even when we are opposing sides |