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💡 Engage Everyone Simultaneously in Generating Questions, Ideas, and Suggestions (12 min.)
The foundational, simplest, are possibly best Liberating Structure - Immediately include everyone regardless of how large the group is. Generate better ideas and more of them faster than ever before. Tap the know-how and imagination of the whole group.
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The Steps 🔢
- Structuring Invitation
- Ask a question in response to the presentation of an issue, or about a problem to resolve or a proposal put forward (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?)
- How Space Is Arranged and Materials Needed
- Unlimited number of groups
- Space for participants to work face-to-face in pairs and foursomes
- Chairs and tables optional
- Paper for participants to record observations and insights
- How Participation Is Distributed
- Everyone in the group is included (often not the facilitator)
- Everyone has an equal opportunity to contribute
- How Groups Are Configured
- Start alone, then in pairs, then foursomes, and finally as a whole group
- Sequence of Steps and Time Allocation
- 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 min.
- Generate ideas in pairs, building on ideas from self-reflection. 2 min.
- Share and develop ideas from your pair in foursomes (notice similarities and differences). 4 min.
- Ask, “What is one idea that stood out in your conversation?” Each group shares one important idea with all (repeat cycle as needed). 5 min.