Chapter: Knowledge Café Principles


Café conversation

One good conversation can shift the direction of change forever.

Credit: Linda Lambert

In this chapter, I look at the principles that underpin and shape the core structure of the Knowledge Café.


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Introduction: Knowledge Café Principles Create a conversational environment

Knowledge Café Principle: Dialogue Not Debate Knowledge Café Principle: Conversation Is Sovereign What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close People learn best through conversation, but too often, discussions are dominated by a few voices or driven by fixed agendas. When this happens, real dialogue—and the Continue reading Introduction: Knowledge Café Principles Create a conversational environment

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

Introduction: Knowledge Café Principles Knowledge Café Principle: Everyone Has an Equal Voice What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close 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. Continue reading Knowledge Café Principle: Conversation Is Sovereign It’s all about the conversation

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

Knowledge Café Principle: Conversation Is Sovereign Knowledge Café Principle: Create a Safe Space What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close 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, Continue reading Knowledge Café Principle: Everyone Has an Equal Voice Everyone is an equal participant

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Knowledge Café Principle: No Preconceived Outcomes The outcomes are emergent

Knowledge Café Principle: Create a Safe Space Knowledge Café Principle: Preserve the Flow What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close 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 Continue reading Knowledge Café Principle: No Preconceived Outcomes The outcomes are emergent

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

Knowledge Café Principle: No Preconceived Outcomes Knowledge Café Principle: Engage in Small Groups What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close 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 Continue reading Knowledge Café Principle: Preserve the Flow Conversational flow should not be interrupted

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

Knowledge Café Principle: Preserve the Flow Knowledge Café Principle: Dialogue Not Debate What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close 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 Continue reading Knowledge Café Principle: Engage in Small Groups Real conversation takes place in small groups