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

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Principle: Preserve the flow.   

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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.

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Flow is one of the hallmarks of a good conversation.

Anything that gets in the way of the flow of the conversation should be avoided. Conversation is King.

The barriers to flow need to be removed. This means, amongst other things: driving out fear; no hierarchy at the table; no note-taking; no flipcharts; no paper and pens on tables and no microphones.

It’s OK to go off-topic

It’s OK to go off-topic. People should be trusted to talk about what is important to them. The conversation needs to be freed. A good conversation takes on a life of its own, and in some strange way, the conversation can be seen to lead the participants rather than the other way around.

Note-taking should not get in the way of the conversation

Note-taking or any other form of capture should not be allowed to interrupt the flow of the conversation. If a central note taker is appointed in each group, they are no longer part of the conversation as the note-taking prevents them from fully engaging in the conversation. It also tends to destroy the flow of the conversation, especially as often the note-taker will ask someone to repeat something as they did not quite catch it.

Taking personal notes also means that at times you are “no longer part of the conversation.” Flip charts are a complete no-go as they distract.

Even paper and felt tip pens laid out on the table get in the way as people tend to draw pictures or lists and use them to focus the conversation and thus control it.

Also, people don’t wish to move from their works of art and are thus tied to their table, restricting their opportunity to move and take part in other conversations.

Capturing Outcomes

Knowledge Café Principles

1. Knowledge Café Principle: Conversation Is Sovereign It's all about the conversation
2. Knowledge Café Principle: Everyone Has an Equal Voice Everyone is an equal participant
3. Knowledge Café Principle: No Preconceived Outcomes The outcomes are emergent
4. Knowledge Café Principle: Preserve the Flow Conversational flow should not be interrupted
5. Knowledge Café Principle: Create a Safe Space Where conversation can flourish
6. Knowledge Café Principle: Engage in Small Groups Real conversation takes place in small groups
7. Knowledge Café Principle: Dialogue Not Debate Be prepared to emerge a slightly different person

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Principle: Preserve the flow.

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