Methods Hold Meaning

Rosa GonzálezWhen 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.  

The key is making conscious choices about form and structure with the intention of seeding the elements of our vision

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:

  1. Read through the matrix to get a sense of what’s possible by employing different forms and structures for group interactions
  2. Think of an actual process you are charged with facilitation and get clear:
  1. Identify the form/structure for group interaction that best matches the values, purpose, and messages core to the process you will be facilitating.
  2. If you do not see a form that sufficiently matches your process, consider:
  1. 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 presentation 

An 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 experts 

A 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 & Answer 

An 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 Conversation

A 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 Share

Two 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 Inquiry

In 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 Inquiry

Small 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 Conversation

An 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 Circle

Standing 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 Prompts

As 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 Mingle

People 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 Circle

Each 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 Consultancy

One 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 Reflection

The 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 Conference

Small 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 Solving

Sandwiched 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 Dialogue 

In 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