Shift School teaches you how to upgrade meetings and workshops so that you can free up time, talk about what matters and include everyone's voices and expertise. Here are a couple of examples:

One, Two, Four, All

Let's imagine you want a view on something or a recommendation on what to do. You could go round the room and die inside. Or you could try this. One Two Four All is a simple, but fundamental pattern.

1 Each individual thinks, silently, for one minute about the topic (introverts will thank you). 1m.

2 You pair up with someone else, and share what you’re thinking or feeling. 2m.

4 Your pair finds another pair, and you repeat. The interesting stuff bubbles to the top. 4m.

All — finally, you harvest each group’s best thinking. 6m.

In less than fifteen minutes, you’ve consulted everyone, they’ve developed some thinking alongside their colleagues, and you’ve distilled and shared the best of it. Best of all, they’ve enjoyed the experience.

(If you're online, this becomes One-Three-All, using the break-out and chat functions.)

'“We came up with a proposal in real tinme. Kind of cool”

Move into trios. Everyone thinks about a challenge they’re facing and the kind of help they need

There are three rounds: in each round, one person is the client, the others are the consultants.

The client shares her question for 1–2 minutes. The consultants ask any clarifying questions for 1–2 minutes. The client turns round with her back to the others. She listens as the consultants generate ideas, suggestions and coaching advice (4–5m) The client turns round and says what was most valuable about the experience. (1–2m). Move to the next client. (If you're on-line, turn your video off to simulate the experience of turning round.)

In half an hour, everyone in the room has had their challenge reviewed, their options increased, and done the same for two colleagues.

WHAT NEXT?

Guidance for some early and risk-free updates to the status meeting, the presentation, the town hall here.

The lovely people at Holisticon have created an app with dozens of Liberating Structures, on which many of the Shifts are based. There are some great explanations and guides by our friends Barry & Christian at The Liberators.

“getting advice with your back turned is strangely liberating.”