What are some group facilitation models that create a safe and inclusive environment?

1 The ORID model

The ORID model is a framework that guides the facilitator and the group through four stages of discussion: Objective, Reflective, Interpretive, and Decisional. The objective stage focuses on the facts and data related to the topic, the reflective stage explores the feelings and emotions of the participants, the interpretive stage analyzes the meanings and implications of the information, and the decisional stage generates actions and solutions. The ORID model helps create a safe and inclusive environment by allowing each participant to express their perspective and experience, and by building a shared understanding and consensus among the group.

2 The Circle Way

The Circle Way is a method that uses the circle as a symbol and a structure for group facilitation. The circle represents equality, connection, and wholeness, and it invites the participants to listen and speak with respect and intention. The Circle Way has three components: the center, the rim, and the agreements. The center is the focal point of the circle, where a meaningful object or a question can be placed to inspire the conversation. The rim is the physical boundary of the circle, where the participants sit facing each other. The agreements are the guidelines that the group follows to ensure a safe and inclusive environment, such as speaking one at a time, using a talking piece, and honoring confidentiality.

3 The World Café

The World Café is a technique that stimulates creative and collaborative dialogue among a large group of people. It involves setting up several tables with a small number of participants at each table, and a question or a theme to explore. The participants have multiple rounds of conversation, switching tables and mixing with different people each time. The facilitator encourages the participants to write or draw their ideas on the tablecloths, and to share their insights with the whole group at the end. The World Café helps create a safe and inclusive environment by fostering diversity, curiosity, and connection among the participants, and by generating collective wisdom and action.

4 The Appreciative Inquiry

The Appreciative Inquiry is an approach that focuses on the strengths and opportunities of a group or an organization, rather than the problems and challenges. It follows four phases: Discover, Dream, Design, and Destiny. The discover phase involves asking positive questions and sharing stories that highlight the best of what is. The dream phase involves envisioning the ideal future and what is possible. The design phase involves co-creating strategies and plans that align with the vision. The destiny phase involves implementing and sustaining the changes. The Appreciative Inquiry helps create a safe and inclusive environment by building on the positive aspects of the group or the organization, and by engaging the participants in a collaborative and creative process.

5 The Open Space Technology

The Open Space Technology is a method that enables self-organized and emergent learning among a large group of people. It is based on the principle that the best conversations happen when people are passionate about a topic and have the freedom to choose how and with whom to explore it. The facilitator invites the participants to propose topics that they want to discuss, and to create a schedule of sessions on a wall. The participants then join the sessions that interest them, and move freely between them. The facilitator encourages the participants to follow the law of two feet, which means that they can leave a session if they are not learning or contributing, and join another one. The Open Space Technology helps create a safe and inclusive environment by empowering the participants to take responsibility for their own learning, and by creating a space for diversity and spontaneity.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?