an online book by David Gurteen
A Conversational space is an environment fostering dialogue, interaction, and exchange of ideas among individuals.
If space can improve how we communicate, that is fundamentally what improves performance and what makes the company money. The workplace is really not about cost. It’s an investment in communication. | Ben Waber Continue reading The Workplace Is an Investment in Communication Ben Waber
Gurteen Knowledge Blog June 5, 2023, 07:20. In my recent Knowledge Café, the Great Unheard, it occurred to me that throughout our everyday lives, we frequently consciously or unconsciously divert conversations from topics that make us feel uncomfortable or vulnerable. We avoid areas we are unprepared or unwilling to explore, perhaps due to personal insecurities, fears, or … Continue reading Creating Safe Spaces for Uncomfortable Conversations Valuing vulnerability, authenticity, and respectful dialogue
If a building doesn’t encourage [collaboration], you’ll lose a lot of innovation and the magic that’s sparked by serendipity. So we designed the building to make people get out of their offices and mingle in the central atrium with people they might not otherwise see. Credit: Steve Jobs Books: Steve JobsBuildings to Encourage Collaboration Steve … Continue reading Buildings to Encourage Collaboration Steve Jobs
Walking Conversations ** The Watercooler Effect Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close People are more productive when they’re alone … but they’re more collaborative and innovative when they’re together. Some of the best ideas come from pulling … Continue reading Introduction: Conversational Environments ** Designing places and spaces for good conversations
Death Café The London Coffeehouses of the Enlightenment Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close Terminology First, let’s consider the terminology. People have gathered in various settings for conversation and social interaction throughout history. These settings include coffeehouses, … Continue reading Introduction: Conversational Spaces Meeting places for conversations
The London coffeehouses of the 17th and 18th centuries were the engines of creation that helped drive the Enlightenment, the European intellectual movement that emphasized reason and individualism rather than tradition. Their history is a fascinating one. Continue reading The London Coffeehouses of the Enlightenment Centers of Enlightenment thinking
The London Coffeehouses of the Enlightenment Salons Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close During the 17th and 18th centuries, Britain witnessed the rise of various gentlemen’s clubs, which served as hubs for intellectual discourse, socializing, and the … Continue reading British Gentlemen’s Clubs ** Of the 17th and 18th Centuries
British Gentlemen’s Clubs ** Viennese Coffeehouses ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close In the 17th and 18th centuries, salons flourished in Paris, Vienna, and the rest of Europe. Salons were social gatherings hosted in private homes, … Continue reading Salons A gathering of people under the roof of an inspiring host
Knowledge Café: Microphones Knowledge Café: Choosing the Venue Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close You should choose the physical space in which a Knowledge Café is held with great care, taking the following aspects should be taken … Continue reading Introduction: Knowledge Café Space The physical space is important
Salons Benjamin Franklin’s Junto Club Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close Resources Wikipedia: Viennese coffee house Article: History of Viennese coffee house culture Guardian: Two hours with a stranger: can these questions open up a city? Continue reading Viennese Coffeehouses ** An institution of Vienna that played an important role in shaping Viennese culture
Benjamin Franklin recognized the value of conversation and the importance of cognitive diversity in convening innovative conversations when he founded the Junto Club almost 300 years ago. Continue reading Benjamin Franklin’s Junto Club Benjamin Franklin founded the Junto Club – a conversational society in 1727
