Conversation Café

Five Structural Elements – Min Specs

1. Structuring Invitation
• Invite all the participants to gather in small groups to listen to one another's thoughts and reflect together on a shared challenge
2. How Space Is Arranged and Materials Needed
• Unlimited number of 5 to 7 chairs around small tables
• Talking object (e.g., talking stick, stone, or art object)
• Markers and one or two pieces of flip-chart paper per table optional
3. How Participation Is Distributed
• Everyone is included
• Everyone has an equal opportunity to contribute
4. How Groups Are Configured
• Mixed, diverse groups of 5–7 participants
5. Sequence of Steps and Time Allocation
• State the theme of the conversation, usually in the form of a question
• Explain there will be four rounds of conversation at every table, two first rounds using a talking object, the third one as open conversation, and a final round with the talking object. Give the duration of each round.
• Distribute the talking objects
• Read the six Conversation Café agreements. See text in attachment.
• Ask for someone at each table to volunteer as the host. The host is a full participant whose role is to gently intervene only when a participant visibly fails to observe one of the six agreements, most frequently talking on and on
• First round with the talking object: each person shares what he or she is thinking, feeling, or doing about the theme or topic. - 1 min. per person
• Second round with the talking object: each person shares thoughts and feelings after having listened to everybody at the table. - 1 min. per person
• Third round: open conversation (option to use talking object). - 20–40 min.
• Fourth round with the talking object: each member shares “takeaways.” - 5–10 min.

WHY? Purposes

• Make sense of a complex, difficult, or painful situation and lay the ground for being able to move on
• Generate new ideas and momentum for innovation
• Build shared understanding of how people develop different perspectives and ideas
• Avoid arguments based on lack of understanding
• Build trust and reduce fear with an opportunity for catharsis
• Help participants appreciate that conversation involves talking and listening

Tips and Traps

• Always use the talking object: they make the difference
• Have the host or participants reread the six agreements before starting the first round
• Do not assign tasks: there should be no intention that the dialogue will directly lead to action
• Host the dialogue like a dinner party, encouraging everyone to contribute while keeping the conversation open-ended and spontaneous
• Use Wicked Questions to deepen conversation
• If there is a problem, ask, “Are we following our agreements?”
• Encourage people to speak their mind
• Encourage quiet people to talk
• Select talking objects that may have symbolic meaning for participants
• Encourage participants to draw or record insights on the flip-chart “tablecloth”
• Learn more from Vicki Robin and friends, who created the Conversation Café for use in communities @ www.conversationcafe.org

Riffs and Variations

• All participants but one at each table can move to different tables every 20 minutes World-Café style (see www.worldcafe.com for more information).
• Link to Graphic Recording. Place flip-chart paper on each table to collect insights from each group. Encourage drawing and playful exploration.
• To move into action, string together with W3 (What, So What, Now What?), 15% Solutions, Design StoryBoards, User Experience Fishbowl, or Open Space.

Examples

• For making sense of and start recovering from a major setback or shock in the market or operating environment (e.g., first used in US communities after 9/11)
• For exploring a new topic or trend that is not well understood
• For handling a topic where there will be strong feelings expressed
• For reflecting after a major change: What does it mean? What assumptions can we make? What conclusions make sense? What can we now believe?