The Knowledge Café is a conversational process that brings a group of people together to share experiences, learn from each other, build relationships and make a better sense of a rapidly changing, complex, less predictable world. Its purpose is to improve decision making, innovation and the ways in which we work together. I t can be adapted for a variety of purposes and at its best is a powerful sense-making tool.
WHEN TO USE IT AND WHY
A Knowledge Café brings a group of people together to have an open, creative conversation on a topic of mutual interest to surface their collective knowledge, to share ideas and to gain a deeper understanding of the issues involved. Participants are asked to think of it as an invitation to creativity and breakthrough thinking. Ultimately the conversation should lead to action in the form of better decision-making and innovation.
The Knowledge Café is a simple but flexible, conversational event that almost anyone can run (so those running it do not need to be a professional facilitator). A powerful question is at the heart of the knowledge café. By considering the three dimensions of powerful questions – construction, scope and assumptions - we can increase the power of the questions we ask and, as a result, increase our ability to generate insights that help shape the future.
A guest speaker can be used to introduce the theme of the café and pose the question, but their speaking time must be strictly limited. Participants break into small groups of four or five to discuss the question for 30-60 minutes and then, at the request of the facilitator, participants change groups normally three times so they have three conversations each about 10 – 20 minutes long. After the small group conversations, the whole group re-assembles in a circle to exchange ideas for 15-30 minutes.
The Knowledge Café is a simple but flexible, conversational event that almost anyone can run (so those running it do not need to be a professional facilitator). A powerful question is at the heart of the knowledge café. By considering the three dimensions of powerful questions – construction, scope and assumptions - we can increase the power of the questions we ask and, as a result, increase our ability to generate insights that help shape the future.
A guest speaker can be used to introduce the theme of the café and pose the question, but their speaking time must be strictly limited. Participants break into small groups of four or five to discuss the question for 30-60 minutes and then, at the request of the facilitator, participants change groups normally three times so they have three conversations each about 10 – 20 minutes long. After the small group conversations, the whole group re-assembles in a circle to exchange ideas for 15-30 minutes.
HOW TO?
- Clarify the purpose. The facilitator and the organizer of the Knowledge Café must be very clear about the purpose of the meeting. A clear purpose enables the facilitator to consider which participants need to be there and what parameters are important to achieve the purpose.
- Create a hospitable space. It is important that the meeting organizers create a hospitable space—one that feels safe and inviting. When people feel comfortable to be themselves, they do their most creative thinking, speaking, and listening. In particular, organizers should consider how their invitation and the physical set-up of the meeting room contribute to creating a welcoming atmosphere.
- Explore questions that matter. Finding and framing questions that matter to those who are participating in the Café is an area where thought and attention can produce profound results. A Knowledge Café may only explore a single question, or several questions may be developed to support a logical progression of discovery throughout several rounds of dialogue. In the latter case, the meeting organizers must select one question for each café table (and there will be one café table for each 5-7 meeting attendees). The meeting organizers must carefully select questions that focus discussion towards the purpose of the event and are sufficiently open to allow good dialogue.
- Connect diverse perspectives. Invite a widely diverse group of participants. The opportunity to move between tables, meet new people, actively contribute thinking, and link discoveries to ever-widening circles of thought is one of the characteristics of the Knowledge Café. As participants carry key ideas or themes to new tables, they exchange perspectives, greatly enriching the possibility for surprising new insights.
- Encourage everyone's contribution. Leaders are increasingly aware of the importance of participation, but most people don’t only want to participate, they want to actively contribute to making a difference. It is important that the meeting facilitator encourages everyone in the meeting to contribute their ideas and thoughts, while also allowing anyone who wants to participate by simply listening, to do so.
- Each table has a host who is paying attention to themes and insights. One host is needed for each table. The table hosts should be briefed on the role in advance of the meeting. They are to take notes on the discussion but are not expected to facilitate or direct the discussion. The participants can easily facilitate themselves with brief instructions from the table host.
WHAT DO YOU NEED?
- A venue where people can be comfortable and relaxed, with tables and chairs to seat 4 or 5 people per table, preferably with refreshments
- A group of people – 16 to 32 people works best
- A facilitator to introduce and oversee the café – they need not be a specialist, simply a good listener with chairperson skills
- A powerful question to spark the conversation
- Time - allow 1.5 to 2 hours. Times are a guide only. But remember, good conversation takes time to develop
- No flip charts in the room
MORE INFORMATION / SOURCES
- David Gurteen, n/d, Knowledge Café. This is the personal site of the man behind the approach, presented as a promotional vehicle for it and for his work on Conversational Leadership. The site includes theoretical explanations, case studies, links to upcoming events and to additional resources.