Part of the Liberating Structures collection, Troika Consulting helps people gain insights on issues they face and unleash local wisdom for addressing them. In quick round-robin "consultations", individuals ask for help and gt advice immediately from two other participants. Peer-to-peer coaching helps discover everyday solutions, revealing patterns and refining prototypes. This technique is presented as a simple and effective way to extend coaching support for individuals beyond formal reporting relationships.
WHEN TO USE IT AND WHY
A process that invites participants to reflect on a particular challenge (or the "consulting question"), and to provide their points of view as a potential solution, can help in many ways. In short, Troika Consulting helps
- refine participants' skills in asking for help;
- participants formulate problems and challenges;
- refine their listening and consulting skills;
- build trust within a group through mutual support; and
- build capacity to self-organize.
HOW TO
- Subdivide all participants into small groups of 3, and ask them to sit knee-to-knee;
- Invite participants to reflect on a consulting question (a challenge they all have and for which specific help is needed). In each round, one participant is the “client” while the other two are the “consultants”, in a way that everyone has an equal opportunity to receive and give coaching;
- All groups have the first client share his or her question for 1-2 minutes, and the consultants ask the client any clarifying questions. The client then turns around with his or her back facing the consultants. Together, the consultants generate ideas, suggestions or coaching advice for approximately 5 minutes;
- The client then turns around, listens to the conclusions, and shares his or her views - saying if the advice is realistic or useful. All groups switch roles and a next person becomes the client, repeating the steps.
WHAT DO YOU NEED?
- Participants
- Chairs for all participants, organized in groups of three
- A facilitator or guide
MORE INFORMATION / SOURCE
- Liberating Structures, a set of "easy-to-learn microstructures that enhance relational coordination and trust, foster lively participation in groups of any size, making it possible to truly include and unleash everyone".