Chapter: Small Group Conversations


Café conversation

Conversation is the way that humans have always thought together. In conversation we discover shared meaning. It is the primal human organizing tool.

Even in the corridors of power, very little real action happens in debate, but rather in the side rooms, the hallways, the lunches, the times away from the ritual spaces of authority and in the relaxed spaces of being human.

In all of our design of meetings, engagement, planning or whatever, if you aren't building conversation into the process, you will not benefit from the collective power and wisdom of humans thinking together.

These are not 'soft' processes. This is how wars get started and how wars end. It's how money is made, lives started, freedom realized. It is the core human organizing competency.

Credit: Meg Wheatley

In this chapter, I explore some of the problems and challenges of conversing in small groups.


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Introduction: Small Group Conversations Small groups are an essential building block to any future you want to create

Wisdom of Crowds of Crowds What Is the Optimum Group Size for a Conversation? Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Small group conversations are at the heart of Conversational Leadership, but there are several challenges to be overcome if they are to be effective. Small groups | Peter Block These are some of the … Continue reading Introduction: Small Group Conversations Small groups are an essential building block to any future you want to create

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What Is the Optimum Group Size for a Conversation? More than five people and it is not a conversation

Introduction: Small Group Conversations Groupthink Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Deciding the optimum group size for a conversation or decision-making is critical in small group work. What is the optimum size? Over the years, in running my Knowledge Cafes, I have discovered through trial and error and observation that the ideal size of … Continue reading What Is the Optimum Group Size for a Conversation? More than five people and it is not a conversation

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Groupthink The desire for harmony in a group can result in irrational decisions

What Is the Optimum Group Size for a Conversation? Group Polarization Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Groupthink is a cognitive bias that occurs when group members prioritize harmony and conformity over critical thinking and independent decision-making, leading to poor decision-making and a lack of creativity. Groupthink is a phenomenon that occurs when the … Continue reading Groupthink The desire for harmony in a group can result in irrational decisions

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Group Polarization The tendency for a group to make decisions that are more extreme than the initial inclination of its members

Groupthink Social Loafing Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Group polarization is the tendency for group discussions to result in a more extreme version of the group’s initial position due to a lack of consideration for alternative viewpoints and a tendency to advocate for one’s views. Group polarization is a phenomenon that occurs when … Continue reading Group Polarization The tendency for a group to make decisions that are more extreme than the initial inclination of its members

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Social Loafing The tendancy to put less effort into a task when we are part of a group

Group Polarization Facilitator Bias ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What is social loafing? Social loafing primarily happens when we unconsciously or consciously put less effort into a task when part of a group than when working alone. Why does social loafing happen? Social loafing can happen when we feel our contributions will … Continue reading Social Loafing The tendancy to put less effort into a task when we are part of a group

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Facilitator Bias ** A facilitator unwittingly influences a group

Social Loafing Losing and Giving Face Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Facilitator bias refers to the tendency of a facilitator of group discussions to favor certain viewpoints or perspectives over others either consciously or, more frequently, unconsciously. This occurs when a facilitator has personal or professional biases that influence their ability to be … Continue reading Facilitator Bias ** A facilitator unwittingly influences a group

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Losing and Giving Face The fear of losing face is a significant barrier to open conversation in many cultures

Facilitator Bias ** Social Silencing Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter In many cultures, especially in Asia, the concept of “face” shapes social interactions and relationships. The fear of losing face or the need to give face can create barriers to honest communication and decision-making. Understanding these dynamics helps build trust and maintain harmony … Continue reading Losing and Giving Face The fear of losing face is a significant barrier to open conversation in many cultures

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Social Silencing A phenomenon where people don’t speak up for fear of social exclusion

Losing and Giving Face Psychological Safety ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter There are many reasons why people do not speak up. Social silencing is one of them. The spiral of silence or social silencing is a phenomenon where people who think they hold a minority opinion don’t speak up for fear of social … Continue reading Social Silencing A phenomenon where people don’t speak up for fear of social exclusion

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Psychological Safety ** A shared belief that within your team it is safe to take risks

Social Silencing Wisdom of Crowds of Crowds Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Create psychological safety: Ensure people are safe for interpersonal risk-taking.  Psychological safety refers to the sense of confidence and trust that individuals feel in a social setting, particularly in the workplace. It is the belief that one can speak up and … Continue reading Psychological Safety ** A shared belief that within your team it is safe to take risks

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Wisdom of Crowds of Crowds Crowds within a crowd outperform 'wisdom of the crowd'

Psychological Safety ** Introduction: Small Group Conversations Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter The wisdom of crowds is the concept that large groups of people are collectively smarter than individuals regarding problem-solving, decision-making, and predicting. However, the method can be improved with the wisdom of crowds of crowds. In the concept of the wisdom … Continue reading Wisdom of Crowds of Crowds Crowds within a crowd outperform ‘wisdom of the crowd’