1, 2, 4, ALL!
Time Frame
5-30 min
Group size
40+
Facilitation lvl
beginner
Comfort zone
medium
Open, generative conversation unfolds. Ideas and solutions are sifted in rapid fashion. Most importantly, participants own the ideas, so follow-up and implementation is simplified. No buy-in strategies needed! Simple and elegant!
Materials
Step 1
Solo Reflection
Silent self-reflection by individuals on a shared challenge, framed as a question (e.g., What opportunities do YOU see for making progress on this challenge? How would you handle this situation? What ideas or actions do you recommend?)
1 minute
Step 2
In Pairs
Generate ideas in pairs, building on ideas from self-reflection.
2 minutes
Step 3
In a group of 4
Share and develop ideas from your pair in foursomes (notice similarities and differences).
4 minutes
Step 4
Share Back to Larger Group
Ask, “What is one idea that stood out in your conversation?” Each group shares one important idea with all (repeat cycle as needed).
5 minutes
Step 5
Facilitator Tips:
Here are some options you might work into your session:
- Firmly facilitate quiet self-reflection before paired conversations
- Ask everyone to jot down their ideas during the silent reflection
- Use bells for announcing transitions
- Stick to precise timing, do another round if needed
- In a large group during “All,” limit the number of shared ideas to three or four
- In a large group, use a facilitator or harvester to record output not shared
- Invite each group to share one insight but not to repeat insights already shared
- Separate and protect generation of ideas from the whole group discussion
- Defer judgment; make ideas visual; go wild!
- When you hit a plateau, jump to another form of expression (e.g., Improv, sketching, stories)
- Maintain the rule of one conversation at a time in the whole group
- Do a second round if you did not go deep enough!