The Discussion Book

1. Engage everyone: Discussion techniques to maximize participation

People are bored and burned with group routine. We have all sat through so many lifeless classes, meetings, and PowerPoint-dominated trainings that it's no surprise that we have become skeptical or cynical.

Break the ice. Start with techniques like Circle of Voices or Think-Pair-Share to get everyone involved from the beginning. These methods allow participants to formulate thoughts before sharing, reducing anxiety and encouraging participation.

Democratize the process. Use techniques like Nominating Questions or Today's Meet to give everyone an equal opportunity to contribute. These approaches level the playing field, ensuring that quieter voices are heard alongside more dominant personalities.

• Circle of Voices: Small groups take turns sharing initial responses without interruption
• Think-Pair-Share: Participants reflect individually, then discuss in pairs before sharing with the larger group
• Nominating Questions: Small groups propose questions for large-group discussion
• Today's Meet: An online platform for anonymous real-time contributions

2. Create a safe space: Ground rules for productive conversations

The great temptation in this exercise is to give advice too early. Detectives want to help by suggesting tips and different approaches right from the start.

Establish expectations. Begin by setting clear ground rules for discussion, such as active listening, respecting diverse opinions, and avoiding personal attacks. Use the Setting Ground Rules technique to involve participants in creating these guidelines, increasing buy-in and ownership of the process.

Encourage risk-taking. Create an environment where participants feel safe to share unconventional ideas or dissenting opinions. Techniques like Methodological Belief and Critical Debate can help people step out of their comfort zones and consider alternative perspectives without fear of judgment.

• Key ground rules:
  • Listen actively without interrupting
  • Critique ideas, not individuals
  • Seek to understand before seeking to be understood
  • Be open to changing your mind

3. Harness diversity: Strategies to incorporate multiple perspectives

Groups will also inevitably stray off topic as people become fixated on how an issue, topic, proposed change, or problem affects their little corner of the world.

Encourage perspective-taking. Use techniques like Stand Where You Stand or Jigsaw to help participants understand and appreciate diverse viewpoints. These methods promote empathy and broaden understanding of complex issues.

Facilitate constructive disagreement. Employ strategies like Canvassing for Common Ground to find areas of agreement amidst differing opinions. This approach can help bridge divides and move discussions forward productively.

• Stand Where You Stand: Participants physically position themselves based on their stance on an issue
• Jigsaw: Small groups become "experts" on different aspects of a topic, then teach others
• Canvassing for Common Ground: Identifying shared beliefs and values among diverse perspectives

4. Cultivate active listening: Methods to enhance understanding

Nothing produces cynicism quicker than the message, "Do as I say, not as I do."

Practice reflective listening. Implement techniques like Understanding Check or What Are You Hearing? to ensure participants are truly grasping each other's perspectives. These methods encourage careful attention and promote deeper comprehension.

Model good listening. As a facilitator, demonstrate active listening skills by paraphrasing, asking clarifying questions, and acknowledging contributions. Use Team Modeling to showcase effective listening and discussion behaviors.

• Understanding Check: Participants paraphrase previous speakers' comments to ensure accurate comprehension
• What Are You Hearing?: Periodically ask non-speaking members to summarize the discussion
• Key active listening behaviors:
  • Make eye contact
  • Use nonverbal cues (nodding, leaning in)
  • Ask follow-up questions
  • Avoid interrupting or planning responses while others are speaking

5. Encourage critical thinking: Techniques to challenge assumptions

Learning to question well is a hard skill to learn, requiring an awareness of how to ask different kinds of questions.

Promote questioning. Use techniques like Strategic Questioning or If You Could Only Ask One Question to develop participants' ability to ask probing, thought-provoking questions. These methods help uncover underlying assumptions and deepen understanding.

Challenge preconceptions. Employ approaches like Critical Debate or Methodological Belief to encourage participants to consider alternative viewpoints and question their own biases. These techniques foster intellectual humility and openness to new ideas.

• Strategic Questioning: Practice asking different types of questions (clarity, linking, open-ended, etc.)
• If You Could Only Ask One Question: Focus on developing a single, powerful question to explore a topic
• Critical Debate: Argue for positions opposite to one's own beliefs
• Methodological Belief: Temporarily adopt unfamiliar viewpoints as if they were true

6. Foster creativity: Approaches to spark innovative ideas

The point is to listen carefully and to let people express their view however they wish to.

Encourage unconventional thinking. Use techniques like Drawing Discussion or Musicalizing Discussion to engage different modes of expression and unleash creativity. These methods can help break through mental blocks and generate fresh ideas.

Create a judgment-free zone. Implement approaches like Question Brainstorm or Chalk Talk to allow for free-flowing ideas without immediate critique. These techniques emphasize quantity over quality initially, fostering an environment where novel concepts can emerge.

• Drawing Discussion: Express ideas through visual representations
• Musicalizing Discussion: Use musical instruments to convey discussion dynamics
• Question Brainstorm: Generate as many questions as possible about a topic
• Chalk Talk: Silent, written brainstorming on a shared space

7. Build consensus: Processes for collaborative decision-making

Anyone who wants to weigh in with a point of view about a proposal or course of action must have the opportunity to be heard.

Explore all perspectives. Use techniques like Deliberative Polling or Participatory Decision Making to ensure all viewpoints are considered before reaching a decision. These methods promote informed, inclusive decision-making processes.

Find common ground. Employ strategies like Bohmian Dialogue or Canvassing for Common Ground to identify shared values and areas of agreement. These approaches can help bridge divides and build consensus even in contentious situations.

• Deliberative Polling: Combine in-depth information with structured discussion to inform decision-making
• Participatory Decision Making: Involve all stakeholders in the decision process, addressing concerns and objections
• Bohmian Dialogue: Focus on collective understanding rather than individual positions
• Key steps in consensus-building:
  1. Clarify the issue
  2. Explore all perspectives
  3. Identify areas of agreement
  4. Address concerns and objections
  5. Develop and refine proposals
  6. Test for agreement

8. Adapt to different learning styles: Visual and kinesthetic discussion methods

Instead of having to summarize key ideas they suggest titles for the text (which is left deliberately untitled).

Incorporate visual elements. Use techniques like Chalk Talk or Newsprint Dialogue to engage visual learners and create lasting records of discussions. These methods can help participants see connections and patterns more easily.

Get people moving. Implement approaches like Stand Where You Stand or Rotating Stations to incorporate physical movement into discussions. These kinesthetic techniques can energize participants and provide new perspectives on topics.

• Chalk Talk: Silent, written brainstorming on a shared board or wall
• Newsprint Dialogue: Small groups record ideas on large sheets, then rotate to comment on others' work
• Stand Where You Stand: Participants physically position themselves based on their stance on an issue
• Rotating Stations: Small groups move between different discussion prompts or tasks

9. Manage group dynamics: Strategies to balance participation

We find that people are more open to it if it is done in short five-minute bursts.

Balance participation. Use techniques like The Three-Person Rule or Mutual Invitation to ensure that dominant voices don't overshadow quieter participants. These methods create space for diverse contributions and promote more equitable discussions.

Address power dynamics. Implement approaches like Conversational Roles or Justifiable Pressure to level the playing field and encourage participation from all members, regardless of status or position.

• The Three-Person Rule: Participants must wait for three others to speak before contributing again
• Mutual Invitation: Each speaker chooses the next person to contribute
• Conversational Roles: Assign specific roles (e.g., devil's advocate, connector) to participants
• Justifiable Pressure: Gently encourage participation from quieter members

10. Facilitate effectively: Tips for guiding discussions and modeling behaviors

You have to make sure everyone gets a chance to participate and that no one dominates by force of personality or organizational rank.

Guide without dominating. Use techniques like Facilitator Summary or Conversational Moves to keep discussions on track while allowing participants to drive the conversation. These methods help maintain focus without stifling organic development of ideas.

Model desired behaviors. Employ Team Modeling to demonstrate effective discussion techniques and attitudes. This approach shows participants what good discussion looks like in practice, rather than simply telling them.

• Facilitator Summary: Periodically summarize key points and emerging themes
• Conversational Moves: Practice specific discussion behaviors (e.g., asking follow-up questions, making connections)
• Team Modeling: Multiple facilitators demonstrate effective discussion techniques
• Key facilitation skills:
  • Active listening
  • Asking probing questions
  • Managing time
  • Encouraging participation
  • Synthesizing ideas
  • Addressing conflicts constructively

Last updated: August 5, 2024