About the session
Wild Tea is a Liberating Structures (LS) classic – although it is technically ‘in development’ and not yet formal part of the LS repertoire.
During Wild Tea, participants share their answers to a set of questions or open-ended sentences, carefully constructed depending on purpose. It can be used as part of the opening of any meeting and at the end of any meeting to summarise insights and share personal takeaways. It’s impactful to do before a more formal conversation about strategy.
In person, participants form two circles, one inside the other. Each person faces one other person and completes an open-ended sentence in less than thirty seconds. When time is up, participants are invited to move to their right so that they are in front of someone else to complete the next sentence, and so on. It’s fun and dynamic – and can also get very loud.
In an online space Wild Tea can be done using the chat and/or breakout rooms. In this session, we experimented with both and collectively debriefed at the end, guided by Peter Smith and Hannah Harding.
Wild Tea quickly provokes a deeper set of reflections and strategic insights among group members. The questions focus attention and can produce fresh understanding of strategic options and next steps. It can rearrange the context for taking action! The key is to stay curious and dig deep.
View the slides from the session.
About Liberating Structures
Liberating Structures can be used to change the way we work and collaborate. They promote inclusive, innovative, and productive meetings and projects and are now used widely in improvement work.
There are 33 structures to explore. Using them can quickly encourage lively participation in groups of any size, boost engagement, and enable connection and collaboration with others in a fun and inspiring way.
Liberating Structures user group
The Q Liberating Structures user group meets online each month to explore one or more of the Structures. It’s a supportive space, and everyone is welcome.
The group sessions are co-facilitated by Q members. While there are varying levels of experience with Liberating Structures and facilitation in the group, no one is an expert. We rely on peer support. Everyone is safe to try something new and learn together through participation.
“I always find these meet-ups helpful and it has got me from wanting to use Liberating Structures to actually using them. I am meeting great people and learning practical skills.”
“I find this group a great energy boost, learning experience and networking opportunity.”
“I didn’t realise how much fun I’d have – but I also learnt something”.
Upcoming sessions
Our sessions run on the first Thursday of each month, and are usually centred around a theme and/or specific Liberating Structure:
Thursday April 11, 12-1pm: 15% Solutions
Thursday May 2, 12-1pm: Liberating Structure and theme to be confirmed.
Thursday June 6, 12-1pm: Liberating Structure and theme to be confirmed.
Thursday July 4, 12-1pm: Planning session for the autumn/winter programme of session. Join if you’re interested in co-facilitating a session or want to learn more about co-facilitating a session.
Find out more
For updates on future sessions, join Q’s Liberating Structures in healthcare Special Interest Group. Maybe you’re planning a session at your own workplace or with any groups you’re part of? The group is open to everyone and is a great place to ask the community for advice and support on any of the Liberating Structures.
For more info on all the different structures and tools, including FAQs and guides on using them, visit the Liberating Structures website.
There is also a Q-connected Liberating Structures user group in Scotland, started by two Q members.
Contact Kirsty Ellis if you’re interested in getting involved or follow them on X for updates on upcoming events.