Gurteen Knowledge Café: Worcestershire Innovation, Worcester, 2017 (source)
You will find several recommendations listed below from a Knowledge Café workshop I ran in February 2021, in which 23 participants took part.
David Gurteen's seminar will enrich your life and empower your work.
His ideas and strategies have inspired and guided us in creating conversations that are meaningful, nurturing, consequential, and exhilarating.
Ronald Gross, Chair, Columbia University Seminar on Innovation; Founder/Director, Conversations New York.
February 2021
I highly recommend attending the Knowledge Café Workshop.
Not only did I walk away with the knowledge and skills to conduct a knowledge café, but I also had an opportunity to share and learn about potential applications for the café in the workplace, in professional associations, and the world in general.
I also connected with a broader network of knowledge-focused professionals. David, himself, is an engaging teacher who made me feel extremely welcome.
Rebecca, Sr. Consultant
February 2021
Thank you for the Knowledge Cafe workshop today, David - it was excellent!
Not only do I now feel equipped to run a Knowledge Cafe but I’ve come away with lots of inspiration about how they can support the work I do.
Thank you also for your generosity in sharing so many resources and vast experience.
I’d recommend this workshop to anyone looking to build a greater sense of connection, community, and conversation in their work with groups.
Dr. Gillian Shapiro, Consultant in organizational culture, change, diversity, and inclusion
February 2021
After stumbling across David Gurteen’s excellent Conversational Leadership ‘blook’, I was intrigued by the Knowledge Café concept and wanted to use it in my workplace to start conversations around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
When the opportunity arose to participate in a Knowledge Café workshop, I jumped right in. It was such an uplifting experience that has left me feeling a renewed sense of hope and energy to continue to try to make the world a little bit nicer place.
It also gave me some powerful tools to achieve some of the goals at work. KC has so many practical applications, from giving people a voice and improving engagement, sparking action, identifying risks, and a whole lot more. David’s passion, knowledge, insights, and humility during the workshop are inspiring and engaging, and he delivers a simply AMAZING and amazingly simple concept!
Simon Baker, Canada
February 2021
David's session provided great insight into the value and process of Knowledge Cafés.
The session, which models the practice of hosting a Knowledge Café, not only provided access to numerous foundational resources but offered a safe space for dialogue and the sharing of rich experiences.
David's expertise in delivering Knowledge Cafés is evident. One of the best parts of the session is hearing about his experiences in running Cafés around the world.
Cindy Russell, Founder/Chief Purpose and Vision Officer, Consider Conversation
February 2021
I don't even recall how I first learned of David's work, but I am certainly glad that I did! After experiencing my first Knowledge Café hosted by David, I was eager to participate in one of his workshops to learn how to host one myself.
I have been a conversational coach and group facilitator for decades. Both my experiences with David impressed and inspired me by how the Café's relatively simple structure sparks such meaningful connections among people from varied backgrounds, even if they are meeting for the first time.
I am moved not only by David's wisdom and authenticity as he shares his experiences so openly, but I am equally moved by his generosity in offering his support and resources in the spirit of giving human beings the opportunity to truly connect with each other.
Thank you, David.
Christine D. Trani, Portland, Oregon USA
www.whenconversationsmatter.com
February 2021
A thoughtful and well-facilitated workshop to gain a deeper understanding of Knowledge Cafés, from the principles of the Cafés, to how to design and practically run cafes both in person and virtually.
The training provided an opportunity to learn from David's vast experience, but also to practice, ask questions and learn from each other different ways in which Knowledge Cafés can be embedded in a whole variety of work and sectors.
We are excited to implement the Knowledge Café approach across our work.
Annie Legge - Co-founder DOT PROJECT
February 2021
How do you get people to open up and have a meaningful conversation about topics that really matter?
Left to ourselves without thoughtful guidance and some basic structure, we tend to fall into patterns that have been developing for a lifetime — patterns that aren't necessarily healthy.
What if there was a way to bring people together with strongly divergent views and have conversations that promote curiosity and understanding?
Not a debate with winners and losers, but a dialogue where people are safe to suspend preconceptions and explore shared meaning?
This is how I would describe a Knowledge Café. David Gurteen's workshops not only teach us techniques to effectively host a Knowledge Café but allow us to experience first-hand the freedom of safe conversations.
The process isn't difficult or complex, but practice leads to better practice. And curiosity leads to trust. And trust allows for meaningful conversations. And meaningful conversations inspire hope and new ideas.
Stephe Faust
IT Director, Multi-Pack Solutions
Founder, begin2know
February 2021
The idea of gathering people together for meaningful conversations revolving around thoughts and ideas has long been a passion.
Sitting amid a group of financial planners during a retreat in 2005, I realized we were discussing important "human experience" topics that should not be confined to our professional group.
Topics that should be discussed with a much larger audience of all stripes; things that could affect our economy and lifestyles in significant ways; ideas emerging that would make our lives simpler and more satisfying. Yet, how would we do this?
Attending David Gurteen's Knowledge Café workshop has revved me up to get going with these discussions! Bottom-up ideas, the wisdom of the crowd, and personal stories can move mountains.
Learning the different ways of organizing and facilitating Knowledge Cafés has given me optimism that these conversations will take place!
Mary Zimmerman
Certified Financial Planner™ professional
February 2021
As an experienced facilitator, I came to David Gurteen's Knowledge Café Workshop hoping to learn some new approaches or tactics that we could use in our community work.
I certainly got those, but what was even more impactful to me was 1) getting a window into David's philosophy of community and conversation and 2) connecting with a really wonderful, generous group of fellow participants in our breakout sessions.
I walked away inspired to keep connecting people, made some new friends, and with a list of book recommendations. I highly recommend this workshop. I found it reinvigorating.
Christopher Parsons
Founder and CEO, Knowledge Architecture
February 2021
Attending David Gurteen’s workshop shifted my perspective on the value of hosting, rather than facilitating, group conversations.
I also appreciated learning about his methodology, which emphasizes connection before content.
In our noisy virtual meeting world, I found a delightful reprieve in this session, and I look forward to hosting my conversations in a similar way.”
Bev Attfield, Principal of Workplace Science at Jostle
February 2021
David shifts conversation from a time-consuming luxury into an essential.
I can now achieve exceptional engagement, spread understanding, and generate ideas — three ingredients for progress.
Thank you for your excellent work, and I really enjoyed the course.
Neil Hudson
Team Leader - Analytical
February 2021
And some more from a workshop held in May 2021.
David's workshop set me up with all the tools and know-how I need to start running Knowledge Cafés in my organization. Learning directly from David was terrific. He shared many of his personal experiences, and he facilitated a vibrant conversation among the attendees. So glad I attended!
Corey Garretson
Community, and Knowledge Manager, LogRhythm
Boulder, Colorado, United States
Having struggled through many organizational change projects as a keen initiator and reluctant participant myself, I became acutely aware of the power of conversation and knowledge sharing. David's Knowledge Café workshop helped me recognize and learn how to create conditions for effective information exchange and uncover opportunities and challenges.
Also, I found that this format can help build and strengthen the bonds between people. The workshop had a great balance of content, interaction with the facilitator, and practice of the method. I highly recommended it!
Kostas Lopsaitis
Head of Field Operations
United Kingdom
I attended David Gurteen's worthwhile Knowledge Café Workshop in May 2021.
It's challenging to connect and engage in our current world of the "endless zoom". However, the content and structure provided by the Knowledge Café format breaks through current constructs in a human, reasonable, and natural way.
I highly recommend this session for anyone who wants to discover shared meaning and develop mutual understanding in their organizations.
Nina Garcia
Manager, Knowledge Management Technology
London, United Kingdom
I joined a Knowledge Café workshop last week and was positively surprised.
It was an eye-opening experience for me. Conversation is something powerful and can make things happen - I do believe that!
Many thanks, David, for making things simple and allowing for a rich encounter!
Miriam Pikaar
Institutional Development and KM officer, Caritas Europa
Brussels, Belgium
What can I say about David Gurteen and Knowledge Cafés? He has been a mentor, a guide, and a source of inspiration.
Learning from David means learning from one of the pioneers of this model, sharing his experience and enjoying his human touch, and having a successful model to replicate.
David’s approach to Knowledge Cafés means creating trustful spaces where everyone is encouraged to participate, despite possible challenges - aware that real conversational spaces break down barriers and establish invisible bridges between antagonistic positions.
The Knowledge Cafés I have run, inspired by his teaching, have helped me understand the value of conversations to improve performance within organizations, contributing to strengthening communities, identifying commonalities, breaking down silos, discovering and inspiring one another, and even identifying potential innovations.
If you are interested in learning how to carry out a Knowledge Café at work, this is the place to do it.
I can assure you that your experience will exceed your expectations.
Rocio Sanz
Consultant, and Knowledge Management Broker
Geneva, Switzerland
David Gurteen is one of the most talented conversation facilitators I have ever met. Being the creator of the Gurteen Knowledge Cafés, he does a great job inspiring and teaching people the value of knowledge sharing through conversation.
I recently attended the virtual Knowledge Café Workshop. It was one of the most interesting and beneficial virtual sessions I have ever attended. We, as participants, were fully engaged and enthusiastic until the last minute.
It was an amazing experience that made me rethink the value of human conversations.
Soha Radwan
Knowledge and innovation Specialist, Dubai Municipality
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
David is an outstanding facilitator, more precisely an outstanding conversational facilitator! Since joining one of his David Gurteen's Café, I enjoyed the format and how it could be applied/replicated in different cases.
Being part of his Café helps you understand possible ways to ignite conversations in different environments, spark innovation, support human relationships, and create a rich working environment.
David makes you feel comfortable (at home), and open speech, ideas, insights, etc., are welcome and never judged, which is a big plus! Discovering the format was a revelation for, me and I'd highly recommend it.
Ginetta Gueli
Information & Knowledge Manager
Rome, Italy
As a recently retired University Professor and College Assistant Dean for decades, I am keenly aware that one must be mindful of both codified knowledge and tacit knowledge to provide value in the real world.
David Gurteen’s Knowledge Café concepts and methods merge the codified knowledge and tacit knowledge processes in a constructive way.
I have attended several of his seminars and continually learn. Further, for many years, I have hosted a monthly version of the Knowledge Café.
Bob Podlasek
Emeritus Professor, Bradley University
Peoria, Illinois, United States
I love the guiding principles and the process of the Knowledge Café concept. It is very different from what I have experienced and what is the 'norm'.
I can completely relate to "Death By PowerPoint"!
The Café is a new and exciting way to share and generate knowledge that ensures engagement!
I believe it would be a beneficial KM tool for us at the Commission, given our diverse work.
Sonia Rees
Information Management Officer, OECS Commission
Castries, Saint Lucia
A few weeks back, I attended a virtual session/workshop organized by David Gurteen on how to strategically design and run a "knowledge café."
While many of us may have heard the term knowledge café and even participated in one, it was good to see first-hand the design elements and principles of strategically designing and implementing one to create an engaging space for conversation and collaboration.
What I found most interesting was the inclusion of Conversational Leadership in the discussion and how that can lead to more effective strategic conversation, project implementation, and collaboration techniques such as the knowledge café.
There was a lot of diversity and inclusion of perspectives with participants connected globally from across the public and private sectors, making the conversation quite engaging and informative. David's facilitation techniques were a bonus!
I think a well-designed knowledge café can be a valuable tool to drive meaningful conversation, engagement, collaboration around specific program/project objectives and goals.
Naureen Aziz-Wani
External Affairs, World Bank
Washington DC, United States
I attended a virtual knowledge café in the hope of gaining some valuable tips and ideas on how to deliver my own café. I wasn't disappointed.
The session was expertly facilitated, and the energy throughout the afternoon was inspiring.
I am excited to now plan to deliver my own virtual Knowledge Cafés throughout the Trust to help share knowledge and encourage conversation on several pertinent topics.
Sarah Hennessy
NHS Library and Knowledge Service Manager
Wakefield, United Kingdom
Tags: knowledge cafe (91)
Blook Search
Google Web Search
The Gurteen Knowledge Letter is a free monthly newsletter with over 20,000 subscribers that I have been publishing by email for over 20 years.
Learn more about the newsletter and register here.