Liberating Structures: Unlock the Power of Engaged Collaboration

Create Meetings and Workshops Where Everyone Contributes and Learns

In many organizations, meetings and workshops can feel like a passive experience, with only a few voices dominating the room. Liberating Structures changes that dynamic by offering simple, yet powerful techniques that ensure everyone in the room is meaningfully engaged, contributing, and learning throughout the process.

Liberating Structures are a collection of facilitation techniques designed to involve all participants, whether in a small group setting or a large organization. These methods move beyond traditional meeting structures by tapping into the collective wisdom of the group, unlocking creativity, and creating space for meaningful conversations and actions.

How ConnACTion Uses Liberating Structures

At ConnACTion, I specialize in using Liberating Structures to design highly engaging, participatory workshops and meetings that leave no one behind. Whether you’re looking to improve team collaboration, generate innovative ideas, or foster organizational change, Liberating Structures ensure that every voice is heard, and every participant plays an active role in the conversation.

Services for Organizations

1. Workshop Design and Facilitation

Liberating Structures form the backbone of my approach to workshop design. Whether you’re running a strategic planning session, team-building event, or problem-solving workshop, these methods help create an environment where everyone is fully involved. No more passive participation—each structure is designed to draw out the unique insights and contributions of every person in the room.

• Meaningful Engagement: Liberating Structures create space for all voices, regardless of hierarchy or role, to contribute to the conversation. This leads to richer, more inclusive discussions.
• Creativity and Innovation: By encouraging active participation, these structures unlock creative thinking and enable teams to generate innovative ideas and solutions.
• Actionable Outcomes: These workshops are designed to not only explore ideas but also translate them into actionable steps that the team can take forward.

2. Meeting Design and Facilitation

Tired of meetings that feel like a waste of time? Liberating Structures transforms meetings into dynamic, engaging sessions where everyone in the room is actively contributing and learning. Whether you need to design a one-time strategic meeting or want ongoing support for your organization's meeting culture, I can help you create gatherings that matter.

• Engagement for All: Every participant is engaged in meaningful ways, ensuring that no one is left out or overlooked. This leads to more thoughtful discussions and stronger outcomes.
• Continuous Learning: Liberating Structures promote a culture of learning within meetings, where participants leave with new insights, knowledge, and perspectives.
• Efficient and Effective: These techniques help meetings run smoothly and efficiently, focusing on contribution and collaboration rather than passive listening.

3. Facilitator Training for Organizations

I also offer facilitator training to help people within your organization learn how to apply Liberating Structures in the meetings and workshops they host. Whether you’re a leader looking to run more engaging team sessions or a facilitator who wants to improve your craft, this training will give you the tools to lead with confidence.

• Hands-On Learning: Participants will experience Liberating Structures firsthand, using them in real-time to learn how each structure works and how to apply them.
• Practical Skills: By the end of the training, participants will be equipped with practical techniques they can immediately implement in their own meetings and workshops.
• Empower Your Team: Give your team the ability to create more engaging, participatory, and effective gatherings, empowering them to lead sessions that foster collaboration and innovation.

Why Use Liberating Structures?

Liberating Structures work because they break down traditional hierarchies and power dynamics that can often stifle creativity and engagement in meetings and workshops. Instead, they promote active participation, inclusion, and collective intelligence, allowing organizations to tap into the full potential of their teams. By using these methods, your organization can:

• Increase Engagement: Every participant is actively involved, ensuring that meetings are dynamic and inclusive.
• Improve Collaboration: These structures foster a culture of collaboration, where everyone contributes and works together to find solutions.
• Boost Innovation: When everyone is involved in the conversation, new ideas emerge, leading to more innovative solutions to the challenges your organization faces.
• Make Better Decisions: With every voice heard and considered, your organization can make more informed and thoughtful decisions.

How Liberating Structures Work

Liberating Structures consist of 33 simple techniques that can be mixed and matched depending on the goals of your meeting or workshop. Some popular examples include:

• 1-2-4-All: A method that allows all participants to brainstorm ideas individually, discuss in pairs, and then in small groups, ensuring that every voice is heard before moving to a larger group discussion.
• Troika Consulting: A peer-to-peer feedback session where participants help each other solve real-world challenges by providing targeted advice and insights.
• Open Space Technology: A way to structure large group meetings where participants set the agenda, ensuring that the most important topics are discussed.

Each structure is designed to maximize participation, encourage collaboration, and create a sense of ownership over the outcomes.

Let’s Create Meetings and Workshops That Matter

If you’re ready to transform the way your organization runs meetings and workshops, or if you’d like to train your facilitators in the art of using Liberating Structures, visit our Facilitator Training Page, I’m here to help you create dynamic, participatory gatherings that lead to real results. Contact us today to learn more.