Every voice counts
The more people participate in a discourse, the greater the risk that individual voices will be drowned out, or will not even get to speak in the first place. Unilateral presentations, open discussions and brainstorming actually promote this problem: they are often too loosely or poorly organised to exploit the full potential of the participants.
But what if there were a way to involve everyone equally in the proceedings? This would not only bring to light new perspectives and ideas, but would also raise the group's sense of community to a whole new level.
What are liberating structures?
Liberating Structures are an alternative way of shaping cooperation. More specifically, they are a variety of methods that aim to promote people's relationships, coordination and trust among themselves. They create the right framework for mastering challenges in a structured way together.
I use Liberating Structures in my workshops as they allow me to involve all participants. Whether quiet as a mouse or a hogger of the limelight, everyone is an indispensable link in the chain and contributes to problem-solving.
Efficient practices
Wicked Questions
Paradoxical challenges the group has to tackle
Heard, Seen, Respected
Practising more profound listening and empathy
Improv Prototyping
Developing effective solutions to problems through improvisation
Drawing Together
Opening up new paths and perspectives through nonverbal communication
Helping Heuristics
Helping others to get help and learning to ask for help
Conversation Café
Working together to extrapolate the meaning of a profound challenge