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futurist_fieldguide:hosting_conversations [2015-05-27 11:34] – created majafuturist_fieldguide:hosting_conversations [2021-01-22 10:09] (current) – [References] maja
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 The central question for every facilitator whether in a futuring workshop or any other participatory session is //how to host a group conversation where everyone's voice is heard, the outcome is shared, the vision arising from the conversations is collective and the group is committed to realising it?//  The central question for every facilitator whether in a futuring workshop or any other participatory session is //how to host a group conversation where everyone's voice is heard, the outcome is shared, the vision arising from the conversations is collective and the group is committed to realising it?// 
  
-There are no recipes that will make every conversation a good one, as there are too many variables, including your own personality and history and the diverse characters and backgrounds of the participants (See also [[integral futures]]). Aside from the unpredictability of the situation, hosting conversations is a craft, which can only be learned through practice and can take many shapes and forms. All that said, there are a few basic forms which can be applied in many of the techniques and methods mentioned in the Futurist Fieldguide: the monologue, dialogue, the triads and the circle. Each of the forms is suitable for a particular type of conversation: individual contemplation draws out the deeper personal information; a dialogue is intimate, a triad is active, breakout groups diverse and a circle tends to be unifying. +There are no recipes that will make every conversation a good one, as there are too many variables, including your own personality and history and the diverse characters and backgrounds of the participants (See also [[integral futures]]). Aside from the unpredictability of the situation, hosting conversations is a craft, which can only be learned through practice and can take many shapes and forms. All that said, there are a few basic forms which can be applied in many of the techniques and methods mentioned in the Futurist Fieldguide: the monologue, dialogue, the triads and the circle. Each of the forms is suitable for a particular type of conversation: individual contemplation draws out the deeper personal information; a dialogue is intimate, a triad is active, breakout groups diverse and a circle tends to be unifying.
  
 ==== Process ==== ==== Process ====
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   * Step 0: The facilitator frames the conversation   * Step 0: The facilitator frames the conversation
   * Step 1: One person speaks, the other(s) listen   * Step 1: One person speaks, the other(s) listen
-  * Step 2: Another person speaks, the other(s) listen (repeat as many steps as there are people)+  * Step 2: Another person speaks, the other(s) listen (repeat as many times as required)
   * Step 3: Participants and/or facilitator summarise the conversation and in some cases report to the whole group   * Step 3: Participants and/or facilitator summarise the conversation and in some cases report to the whole group
   * Step 4: Reflect on the outcomes of the conversation.   * Step 4: Reflect on the outcomes of the conversation.
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 A few minutes of individual contemplation is important when the topics discussed are complex or emotionally charged. It allows people to examine their thoughts and their intuitions, so that they tend to come up with more considered, honest answers. It invites reflection on people’s personal motivations, as well as connect with the motivations of others in the group. For the latter to work well it is required to report from the monologues to the whole group. Clustering the answers into common themes connects individual thoughts and feelings to create a sense of belonging to a collective endeavour. A few minutes of individual contemplation is important when the topics discussed are complex or emotionally charged. It allows people to examine their thoughts and their intuitions, so that they tend to come up with more considered, honest answers. It invites reflection on people’s personal motivations, as well as connect with the motivations of others in the group. For the latter to work well it is required to report from the monologues to the whole group. Clustering the answers into common themes connects individual thoughts and feelings to create a sense of belonging to a collective endeavour.
  
-Posing a question and allowing a few minutes for thinking about the question, taking notes and composing one's thoughts can substantially deepen the group conversation. Furthermore, individual contemplation allows the more quiet people to formulate their answers before speaking. While many group facilitation techniques favour extroverted conversations, this one provides a safe haven for those of us who prefer quiet reflection and solitude (i.e. "introverts"), whose voice should not be forgotten. +Posing a question and allowing a few minutes for thinking about the question, taking notes and composing one's thoughts can substantially deepen the group conversation. Furthermore, individual contemplation allows the more quiet people to formulate their answers before speaking. While many group facilitation techniques favour extroverted conversations, this one provides a safe haven for those who prefer quiet reflection and solitude (e.g. "introverts"), whose voice should not be forgotten.
  
 The individual contemplation can be used at any moment in a workshop, but works particularly well in the beginning (to connect the participants own experience with the topic of conversations), middle (as a 'breathing space' after expansive, high paced conversations in larger groups) and at the end (a moment of quiet reflection). The individual contemplation can be used at any moment in a workshop, but works particularly well in the beginning (to connect the participants own experience with the topic of conversations), middle (as a 'breathing space' after expansive, high paced conversations in larger groups) and at the end (a moment of quiet reflection).
  
- 
-=== Process === 
  
 The individual contemplation can be conducted in any type of space. The only materials you need is a piece of paper and a pen for every participants. If you want people’s written answers to be posted on a shared wall and clustered into themes, you might consider using post-its or other sticky notes that will allow you to easily move them around.  The individual contemplation can be conducted in any type of space. The only materials you need is a piece of paper and a pen for every participants. If you want people’s written answers to be posted on a shared wall and clustered into themes, you might consider using post-its or other sticky notes that will allow you to easily move them around. 
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 The quality of the conversation depends primarily on the listening and questioning capabilities of the participants. The more they pay attention to each other, the more interesting information they will report. It’s important to note that some people find it intimidating to speak while someone else intently listens and doesn’t offer their own thoughts, others are very sensitive to someone not paying attention. The listener should therefore try to sense what the other person needs. This is something that should be acknowledged during the framing, after which the facilitator should let the conversations play out, with as little intervention as possible. After a dialogue it's interesting to let one person report what the other person has said and done. The report might include non-verbal information or other unconscious behaviour as well. If the participants know this in advance, they might pay closer attention to what each other are saying.  The quality of the conversation depends primarily on the listening and questioning capabilities of the participants. The more they pay attention to each other, the more interesting information they will report. It’s important to note that some people find it intimidating to speak while someone else intently listens and doesn’t offer their own thoughts, others are very sensitive to someone not paying attention. The listener should therefore try to sense what the other person needs. This is something that should be acknowledged during the framing, after which the facilitator should let the conversations play out, with as little intervention as possible. After a dialogue it's interesting to let one person report what the other person has said and done. The report might include non-verbal information or other unconscious behaviour as well. If the participants know this in advance, they might pay closer attention to what each other are saying. 
  
- 
-=== Process === 
  
 For a dialogue you need a space where different pairs can have a conversation without being too disturbed by the other people around them. If not much space is available, you can simply ask the pairs to turn their chairs or cushions towards each other. You don’t necessarily need any materials. For a dialogue you need a space where different pairs can have a conversation without being too disturbed by the other people around them. If not much space is available, you can simply ask the pairs to turn their chairs or cushions towards each other. You don’t necessarily need any materials.
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 A monologue allows a lot of space, but can be experienced as quite confronting. It is important for the listener to give appropriate non-verbal signs to show his/her attention or engagement. This form might work better with participants who know each other well.  A monologue allows a lot of space, but can be experienced as quite confronting. It is important for the listener to give appropriate non-verbal signs to show his/her attention or engagement. This form might work better with participants who know each other well. 
  
-  * **Free flow** +**Free flow** 
   * Step 1: both people talk when they feel the need to and listen when the other person speaks)   * Step 1: both people talk when they feel the need to and listen when the other person speaks)
   * Step 2: Summarise the dialogue in a few key points   * Step 2: Summarise the dialogue in a few key points
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 Talking between three people makes for an active conversation. The introduction of a third person in a dialogue creates a new dynamics that is less intimate and instead can be more energised and lively. Having three people increases the types of roles they can take - from listener and observer, to interviewer/interviewee, to conversation partner, note taker, etc. It’s important to have multiple rounds so that every participant gets a chance to inhabit every role. Talking between three people makes for an active conversation. The introduction of a third person in a dialogue creates a new dynamics that is less intimate and instead can be more energised and lively. Having three people increases the types of roles they can take - from listener and observer, to interviewer/interviewee, to conversation partner, note taker, etc. It’s important to have multiple rounds so that every participant gets a chance to inhabit every role.
- 
-=== Process === 
  
 The triads need a space where small "islands" can be separated from the main group space (with or without tables or walls to write on). It can be helpful to have some surface to take notes on (e.g. a large piece of paper, black/white board), that is big enough for the three people to see and share. The triads need a space where small "islands" can be separated from the main group space (with or without tables or walls to write on). It can be helpful to have some surface to take notes on (e.g. a large piece of paper, black/white board), that is big enough for the three people to see and share.
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 Breakouts are a very common way to split large groups into smaller ones (4-7 people), in order to allow everyone to have a chance to speak and to have a conversation with new people. There are usually multiple rounds, where people move between different breakout groups (e.g. as in the [[world cafe]]). At the end all breakout groups have a chance to report their conversations to the whole group and a synthesis of all conversations is made. The benefit of breakout groups is the diversity of dynamics that can be experienced by the participants. It’s a good way to get many people to get to know each other and to have a conversation on a common topic, which allows them to learn of each others’ opinions and personalities. It helps to have one moderator per breakout group, either pre-assigned, or volunteered. Breakouts are a very common way to split large groups into smaller ones (4-7 people), in order to allow everyone to have a chance to speak and to have a conversation with new people. There are usually multiple rounds, where people move between different breakout groups (e.g. as in the [[world cafe]]). At the end all breakout groups have a chance to report their conversations to the whole group and a synthesis of all conversations is made. The benefit of breakout groups is the diversity of dynamics that can be experienced by the participants. It’s a good way to get many people to get to know each other and to have a conversation on a common topic, which allows them to learn of each others’ opinions and personalities. It helps to have one moderator per breakout group, either pre-assigned, or volunteered.
  
-=== Process === 
  
 Having breakout groups usually means that the group is larger than 5-6 people, so the space should be larger as well. It’s best to split the whole group area from the breakouts, so that there is enough space to move around and have different perspectives on the room. Having breakout groups usually means that the group is larger than 5-6 people, so the space should be larger as well. It’s best to split the whole group area from the breakouts, so that there is enough space to move around and have different perspectives on the room.
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 Whole group conversations are usually conducted in a circle or semi-circle, with or without a table in the middle. The benefit of a whole group conversation is that everyone can be involved and no reporting is needed. The format is well known, as conversations in a circle seem to be an old form that persist in many cultures worldwide. Round tables, elders’ councils, gatherings around a campfire, peace-pipe offerings etc. Sitting in a circle tends to slow conversations down and create space for collective inquiry, reflection and connection.  Whole group conversations are usually conducted in a circle or semi-circle, with or without a table in the middle. The benefit of a whole group conversation is that everyone can be involved and no reporting is needed. The format is well known, as conversations in a circle seem to be an old form that persist in many cultures worldwide. Round tables, elders’ councils, gatherings around a campfire, peace-pipe offerings etc. Sitting in a circle tends to slow conversations down and create space for collective inquiry, reflection and connection. 
  
-//Note: be aware that some people have a problem with the circle that reminds them too much of group therapy, others have a problem with having tables, etc. - it’s important to be aware of what the group needs.//+//Note: be aware that some people may have a problem with the circle reminding them too much of group therapy, others may have a problem with tables, etc. - it’s important to be aware of what the group needs.//
  
-=== Process === 
  
 The space for a circle conversation should be sufficiently big to accommodate everyone sitting with enough distance from each other (be aware that the amount of personal space people need is not the same for everyone). There can be something in the centre of the circle - a table, or a centre-piece that links to the topic of conversation.  The space for a circle conversation should be sufficiently big to accommodate everyone sitting with enough distance from each other (be aware that the amount of personal space people need is not the same for everyone). There can be something in the centre of the circle - a table, or a centre-piece that links to the topic of conversation. 
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 ==== References ==== ==== References ====
  
 +  * [[http://www.meadowlark.co/images/pdfs/hosting_in_a_hurry_version_1.0.pdf|Hosting in a hurry]]
   * [[:/hosting_craft|Hosting Craft]]   * [[:/hosting_craft|Hosting Craft]]
   * [[http://artofhosting.ning.com/page/core-art-of-hosting-practices|Core Art of Hosting Practices]]   * [[http://artofhosting.ning.com/page/core-art-of-hosting-practices|Core Art of Hosting Practices]]
-  * [[http://www.natural-innovation.net/our-toolkit/|Collaborative Innovation Guide]] by Simone Poutnik and Hendrik Tiessinga]] 
-  * [[http://www.berkana.org/pdf/Hosting_in_a_Hurry.pdf|Hosting in a hurry]] 
  
  
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