Introduction: Knowledge Café Principles Create a conversational environment

The Knowledge Café’s strength and success depend on a few critical principles The Knowledge Café has been designed to cultivate an environment where conversation can flourish, and everyone feels like an equal participant. Participants can relax, be themselves, and express their thoughts freely without fear of judgment. The seven principles that guide the Knowledge Café … Continue reading Introduction: Knowledge Café Principles Create a conversational environment

Knowledge Café Principle: Conversation Is Sovereign It's all about the conversation

Principle: Conversation is Sovereign. The Knowledge Café aims to facilitate meaningful conversations. To do this, it is important to eliminate anything that could hinder open communication. Creating a welcoming space for dialogue and shared learning is key. The foundational principle underpinning the Café’s design and process is to create an atmosphere that promotes open conversations … Continue reading Knowledge Café Principle: Conversation Is Sovereign It’s all about the conversation

Knowledge Café Principle: Everyone Has an Equal Voice Everyone is an equal participant

Principle: Everyone has an equal voice. In a Knowledge Café, all participants are treated equally. No one is given more conversational power than anyone else, and no one’s power is diminished. In a Knowledge Café, there should be no hierarchy in the room or the small groups. Now, this is not entirely possible. Whatever you … Continue reading Knowledge Café Principle: Everyone Has an Equal Voice Everyone is an equal participant

Knowledge Café Principle: Create a Safe Space Where conversation can flourish

Principle: Create a psychologically safe space.  To foster meaningful conversation in a Knowledge Café or any small group setting, it’s crucial to establish a safe space where all participants feel equal, comfortable, and free to express themselves without fear. Reduce fear Although it is never possible to eliminate fear, everything should be done to reduce … Continue reading Knowledge Café Principle: Create a Safe Space Where conversation can flourish

Knowledge Café Principle: No Preconceived Outcomes The outcomes are emergent

Principle: No preconceived outcomes.  When organizing a Knowledge Café, it’s essential to set a clear purpose and theme to provide context. But there should be no predetermined outcomes, as the conversation should unfold organically. When organizing a Knowledge Café, it’s essential to set the theme and pose a question to define the context and scope … Continue reading Knowledge Café Principle: No Preconceived Outcomes The outcomes are emergent

Knowledge Café Principle: Preserve the Flow Conversational flow should not be interrupted

Principle: Preserve the flow.    In a Knowledge Café, the flow of the conversation should be preserved. The conversation flows when it is effortless and moves smoothly from one speaker to another and naturally between topics. Flow is one of the hallmarks of a good conversation. Anything that gets in the way of the flow of the … Continue reading Knowledge Café Principle: Preserve the Flow Conversational flow should not be interrupted

Knowledge Café Principle: Engage in Small Groups Real conversation takes place in small groups

Principle: Engage in small groups.  At the heart of the Knowledge Café are small group conversations. These groups should be no more than 3 or 4 people. Real conversations only happen in small groups of 2, 3 or 4 people. If you have more than 4 participants in a group, you do not have a conversation … Continue reading Knowledge Café Principle: Engage in Small Groups Real conversation takes place in small groups

Knowledge Café Principle: Dialogue Not Debate Be prepared to emerge a slightly different person

Principle: Dialogue, not debate. Knowledge Café conversations are about making sense of a situation, sharing information, better understanding each other, and building relationships — in other words, they are about dialogue — not debate. This is not an argument against debate — dialogue and debate both have their places. It is just that in the … Continue reading Knowledge Café Principle: Dialogue Not Debate Be prepared to emerge a slightly different person