What is meant by it?

Conversation café helps the participants to talk about a topic and to listen to what other people have to say about it. People will engage with one another and try to understand each other’s perspectives instead of debating or arguing with each other.

How is it done?

Conversation café can be carried out by inviting all the participants to sit together in a group and listen to each other’s thoughts about a particular challenge. Chairs, talking object, markers, and flip-chart papers will be provided to the participants. Firstly, you will tell the theme of the conversation to the participants and that there will be four segments of communication at each table. In the first two rounds, the participants will use a talking object, whereas in the third segment they will have an open conversation. In the last round they will use a talking object. Then, you shall read over the agreements to the participants. In the first round, each participant will be given 1 minute to talk about what they feel about the theme of the topic. In the second round, each participant will share their thoughts about everyone else’s thoughts in 1 minute. The third round will be an open conversation for 20-40 minutes, whereas in the last round the participants will be given 5-10 minutes to share what they will be taking away from this conversation.

What is its purpose?

Conversation café will help the participants in understanding the logic behind complex and painful situations that are hard to get a grip onto in the first place. It will also help them in being able to come up with new ideas and be innovative. People will learn how to understand each other and respect each other’s perspective to avoid arguments. It will also teach them that it is essential to listen to others.

What are its Tips and Traps?

Make sure that all the participants reread the agreements before beginning this liberating structure. The host should conduct this organizational structure like it is a dinner party so that everyone can contribute to the conversation and make it a productive conversation. Make sure that no one remains quiet and that they are speaking what is actually on their mind. Always choose talking objects that have a symbolic meaning. All the participants should record their insights on their flip-chart.

Examples – Where can it be used?

Conversation Café is an agile technique for understanding different things, and it can be used in the following circumstances:

• To understand why there was a huge setback in the market.
• To understand different trends that you could not understand before.
• To handle situations where people will be expressing strong feelings.

— Slimane Zouggari

What is meant by it?

Open Space Technology is a liberating Structure that can help people in solving a complex problem that is common among people. It will help you be creative and polish your leadership skills and how you organize yourself. Everyone will be able to put forward constructive agendas and address issues that hold significance in their life.

How is it done?

Open Space Technology can be carried out by inviting people to solve a complex conflict by forming an agenda during posting sessions on the topics that they feel like they can talk. Microphones and chairs will be needed in an open space or a large room. Flip charts, agendas and tapestry papers should be given to the participants. The ‘Law of Two Feet’ will be governing how the participants will be contributing. Firstly, the leader will let the participants know what open space is all about along with the Law of Two Feet and the four principles. Then, the participants will propose a time and place where they all should meet along with the topic of their discussion. Then, the sessions start taking place, and in the end, everyone will be debriefed.

What is its purpose?

Open Space Technology is a liberating structure that can be used to address different conflicts and try to solve them by working together. It also helps in raising the issues which the participants think are essential so that they can be resolved too. This organizational structure will help in making the participants take responsibility to tackle any problems.

What are its Tips and Traps?

All the participants should be given a challenge so that they can write down the proceedings with the help of which they can solve the problem. They should be familiarized with the Law of Two Feet, mechanics of open space and Four Principles. You should also note down when you form an idea or judgment.

Examples – Where can it be used?

Open Space Technology is an agile way to get a lot of work done, and it can be used in the following circumstances:

• During management meetings.
• After a merger to bring together all the employees of the two companies.
• When sharing IT innovative prototypes.

— Slimane Zouggari

What is meant by it?

The generative relationship is an organizational structure that can help a group of team members understand how they work together and find out what changes they need to make to improve their way of working as a group and how can they progress in this matter.

How is it done?

Generative relationships can be carried out by asking the participants to assess their team members working on a project based upon four attributes, separateness, tuning, action and reason to work together. There should be tables for small groups of four members along with pens and STAR compass graphic for each participant. Every participant shall contribute equally. In the first five minutes, the participants will talk about their placements with their partners. Then, they will discuss the patterns that they found out after their interaction. Each small group will then brainstorm to list down the action steps. After this, the whole group will get together and decide which steps they need to take first.

What is its purpose?

Generative relationships are a liberating structure that can be used for improving the performance of teamwork and to make the team manage their tasks properly. No one should blame the other team member and always try to be understanding of each other. It will also help in creating a good dynamic among the group members/

What are its Tips and Traps?

Don’t make a judgment too soon and encourage the participants to research correctly. Each participant should be given at least one task to get the job done.

Examples – Where can it be used?

Generative relationships are an agile way of focusing attention on something, and it can be used in the following circumstances:

• To mend the relationship with someone.
• To decide the purpose of a team.
• To form a strategy to get a task done.

— Slimane Zouggari

What is meant by it?

Simple ethnography is an organizational structure in which you will be observing the activities of people with different local experiences to come up with a pattern that can help you in solving a challenge that you were not able to solve before.

How is it done?

Simple ethnography can be carried out by inviting participants to observe people silently who have had an experience with the important challenge. It can take place in any local setting. Notebooks and cameras will be required in this liberating structure. Every participant will be contributing equally. In five minutes you will be explaining the problem to the participants. In the next five minutes, tell the sites and people they need to observe without talking to anyone which will be carried out in 3 hours. Then, ask the participants to choose behaviors that they observed which can relate to the challenge and to ask those people certain questions about what they had observed in them. When all of this is done, ask the participants to compare their notes and find the patterns to come up with a solution in 15 minutes. They will then be writing their observations and insights on their notebooks.

What is its purpose?

Simple ethnography can help in making invisible patterns visible and revealing things that can help you in solving a problem. You will learn how to respect and trust people when you are interviewing them.

What are its Tips and Traps?

Try not to be too quick in adding interpretations when making observations. Do more than one round of simple ethnography if required. Don’t forget that deviance can be good for you. Be comfortable when you are trying to understand something. Try to focus on the details and don’t miss out on important information.

Examples – Where can it be used?

Simple ethnography is an agile way of understanding and solving different problems and can be used in the following circumstances:

• Sale representatives can learn from their colleagues how they get better results than before.
• Clinicians to understand how other clinicians can understand the needs of their patients in a better way.
• To understand the differences between effective and ineffective

— Slimane Zouggari

What is meant by it?

Heard, Seen, Respected is an organizational structure that can help people in being heard. Everyone had experienced the time when they were telling their story to someone, and that person was not paying enough attention to them, however, with the help of HSR, your story will be heard by someone and paid proper attention to also. Your pair will empathize with your problem, and as a group, you will learn how to face the challenge.

How is it done?

You can begin Heard, Seen, Respected by inviting participants to tell a story to their partner in the group when they felt like nobody was hearing, seeing or respecting what they were telling. Make sure to tell the listeners not to interrupt the storyteller. Chairs will be provided to the participants. Every participant will get the chance to listen and tell a story of their own also. Each person will be given 7 minutes to tell their story to their respective partner for 7 minutes. Then, for five minutes the pair will share their experiences. In the next five minutes, two pairs will share their reflections and discuss the patterns that they noticed. Then the whole group will discuss how HSR can help in solving challenges.

What is its purpose?

Heard, seen, respected can help people in telling their story and being empathized when no one else is ready to hear them. It will improve their listening skills and also teach them how to empathize with somebody. You can also help someone with your advice or ideas.

What are its Tips and Traps?

You will have to make sure that nobody’s sentiments are hurt during this liberating structure. Also, keep in mind that the storyteller’s privacy is protected. Tell the participants to note when they form a judgment while hearing the story.

Examples – Where can it be used?

Heard, seen, respected is an agile technique that can be used in the following circumstances:

• For improving the quality of listening and engaging in meetings.
• When you have to express grief for someone’s loss.
• To improve your relationship with an individual or an organization.

— Slimane Zouggari

What is meant by it?

Design Story Boards is an agile way eradicating the reasons why you have a dysfunctional meeting. Therefore, if you want to have a successful meeting, then designing a storyboard will help you in showcasing the purpose of the meeting in a clear way. It will help in figuring out what you need to do to achieve the objective and who needs to be included in the project.

How is it done?

Design storyboards are carried out by inviting a design team to establish a detailed plan to achieve their goal. An open wall will be required with tapestry paper and markers. You will also need post it notes and a storyboard. Everyone will have equal opportunity to participate. You can begin this liberating structure by explaining the purpose of the work in 2-5 minutes. Then, you shall describe the microstructure for achieving the purpose in 5-10 minutes. Take another 5 minutes to reexamine your work and decide who needs to be involved in the work. Discuss which microstructures can help in fulfilling the goal. Choose the microstructures that can help you the most. Once this is done, you will ask yourself ‘What now?’ or ‘Will you be able to achieve your desired goal with this design?’

What is its purpose?

It will help in making working joyful and will make the participants want to contribute as much as they can. It will also help the participants in figuring out what needs to be done with the design so that they can achieve the desired goal.

What are its Tips and Traps?

You need to encourage the participants to deepen the value of their design and to work in pairs or groups so that more work can be done. Use different symbols and sketches to understand the ideas quickly.

Examples – Where can it be used?

This organizational structure can be used in the following circumstances:

• During management meetings.
• For reviewing projects.
• During conferences and meetings.
• In classroom and brainstorming sessions.

— Slimane Zouggari

What is meant by it?

What I need from you is an agile way of asking other people what they need to do to become successful. So, when you get over your misunderstandings and prejudices with each other, you will be able to learn from each other and achieve your goals.

How is it done?

You can begin this liberating structure by inviting participants to ask other people what they need to become successful in a goal. A large room will be required with chairs in the middle of the room for 3-7 people to sit. Each participant will be given a paper to record their responses and the things they need. Everyone will get the chance to ask and respond equally. Before beginning this program, you will first have to describe the steps to all the participants. Use 1-2-4-all technique to create a list of the things they need within 5-15 minutes. All the participants will then come in the middle of the room and form a circle. One by one, each participant will state their two needs from each participant within 15 minutes. Then, each participant will write down their responses on their paper whether it is ‘yes’ or ‘no’ or ‘I will try.’ Then, they all will form a circle and make their requests again to which the other participants will respond.

What is its purpose?

It will help you to let other people know what you need from them with clarity. You can also mend the relationship with other people. It will also teach you how to give clear responses to someone’s request.

What are its Tips and Traps?

Let the participants know that if their response is ‘whatever,’ then it means that the request was vague to answer. There should not be an immediate response. Make sure to encourage the participants to ask what they truly need from the other person to be successful. Elaborations for responses should not be given. Try to have fun during this activity and don’t get too serious.

Examples – Where can it be used?

What I need from you can be used in the following circumstances:

• When deciding a rapidly changing market.
• When establishing a patient-centered care initiative.
• For making your relationship with someone more productive.

— Slimane Zouggari

What is meant by it?

Instead of forming a group of additional rules to achieve a goal and wasting your energy on them, there should just be a short list of min specs that can help you in getting success in your challenge. These min specs may include the things that you must or must not do while trying to work on a project.

How is it done?

There should be groups of 4-7 people sitting around small tables. Every person in each group will get the chance to participate equally. Firstly, each group shall produce a list of all the things they must and must not do within 6 minutes. This list will be called max specs. Then, each group will test the specs, and if the purpose is achieved without that spec, then it will be taken off the list. The shortlisted specs will be compared from each group, and an even shorter list than before will be formed which will the min specs.

What is its purpose?

Min specs will help you in focusing on your energies where it should be, and by having a simple strategy, you will be able to progress quickly.

What are its Tips and Traps?

Try to focus on a challenge that is possible to be achieved. First of all, start with the list of the things you should do. If extra rounds are needed, then do as many rounds as required. If any group is having trouble, try to make them remember the purpose of the challenge and what is necessary to get it done.

Examples – Where can it be used?

Min specs are a useful and agile way for project management that can be used in the following circumstances:

• Senators can use it for identifying the dos and not dos for the stakeholders.
• They can be used for completing an
• It can be used for the progress of any business.

— Slimane Zouggari

What is meant by it?

Helping heuristics will help people in understanding their patterns of interaction and what their habits are. They will get to know how they can change the way they work with others and make smart decisions without taking a lot of time.

How is it done?

Firstly, you will have to invite participants to observe the patterns of interaction and then reflect their patterns, which will help in asking and giving help. No tables or chairs are required, and everyone will have an equal opportunity to contribute. Groups of 3 will be formed. Two people will be playing the role of client and coach, whereas one will be observing them. There will be four rounds. In the first round, the coach will accept all the offers, whereas, in the second segment, the coach will take all the offers and guide the client. During the third round, the client with interjecting advice. In the fourth segment, both the client and the coach will accept all the offers from each other.

What is its purpose?

Helping heuristics can help in eradicating the common mistakes that people tend to make when giving or taking help from someone else. It helps in people understanding that they should not give unwanted advice to anyone. People will also be able to understand that if they need help they will have to trust the other person in letting them their story and what kind of help they need.

What are its Tips and Traps?

The trips and traps of helping heuristics are to make sure that every participant changes his or her role in every segment. People should trust each other when discovering new things together. Try to focus on the patterns that will help you in solving a challenge. Don’t ignore the subtle signs.

Examples – Where can it be used?

Helping heuristics is so agile that it can be used in the following circumstances:

• When ‘What I need from you’ or ‘Wise crowds’ is not able to achieve the intended purpose.
• In helping professionals renew their skills.
• To expand options for helping others.

— Slimane Zouggari

What is meant by it?

Drawing together is an agile way of expressing your thoughts, feelings, and patterns, which are otherwise difficult to convey through words. So, if you are tired and your brain is full that you can’t indulge yourself in logical thinking, then you can use this new technique of storytelling. Draw 5 symbols that have a universal meaning to let the individual or the group know what you are trying to tell them.

How is it done?

Firstly, you will have to gather participants who are willing to tell a story using five symbols about any challenge they had faced. An open will be required for this liberating structure on which the participants can paste their papers with symbols drawn on them. Water-based markers will also be needed to draw the symbols on the paper. Every participant will get the chance to tell their story through five symbols. You can begin drawing together by first letting the participants know about the meaning of each symbol within 5 minutes. Another five minutes will be given to the participants to practice drawing the symbols. They will create their first draft of the story within 10 minutes. Another 10 minutes will be given to creating the second draft of the story by adding some details to it. Then, another individual will be invited to tell what they had interpreted from the drawing. After this, the whole group will be asked to explain what they understand from the drawings.

What is its purpose?

Drawing together will help in understanding vision on a deeper level. It will teach you to think with an open mind and understand things without words beings used. It will also help in creating a connection among the group members.

What are its Tips and Traps?

It is not essential that you must have refined drawing skills; only the meaning of your story should be conveyed. You should also record the participants using a camera while they are drawing. You should be prepared to hear some emotional responses.

Examples – Where can it be used?

Drawing together can be used in the following circumstances:

• During long meetings to explain your point.
• When people are having significant differences in perspectives.
• To learn new techniques of storytelling.

— Slimane Zouggari