In this first Liberating Structures meet-up of the new term, Hilda Campbell and Afra Kelsall guided us through Heard, Seen, Respected (HRS). Participants came prepared to share a work related situation or experience in which they did not feel heard, seen or respected.
What is made possible with HSR? You can foster the empathetic capacity of participants to “walk in the shoes” of others. Many situations do not have immediate answers or clear resolutions. Recognizing these situations and responding with empathy can improve the “cultural climate” and build trust among group members. HSR helps individuals learn to respond in ways that do not overpromise or overcontrol. It helps members of a group notice unwanted patterns and work together on shifting to more productive interactions. Participants experience the practice of more compassion and the benefits it engenders. More here.
The use of Liberating Structures (LS) in improvement work has spread widely since the first trainings at Q annual events and the immersion workshops Q offered. Many people find them an inspiring way to enable more inclusive, innovative, productive (and fun) meetings and projects.
This Q Liberating Structures user group offers a ‘safe space’ to share our experiences and try out different Liberating Structures together – both new ones, and more familiar ones. It’s a peer-learning space – where people like you will lead (or co-lead) each LS, rather than veteran trainers.
As one participant in one of our meet-ups put it: “I didn’t realise how much fun I’d have – but I also learnt something“.
LS feels particularly timely at the moment, with so many meetings moved into Zoom, Teams etc due to COVID-19. Yet the opportunities that Liberating Structures give us for making these truly engaging, fun and creative meetings are all too often missed when people run their meetings. We can change this!
Find out more about all the Liberating Structures, including FAQs and how-to’s.
To hear about future meet-ups, join Q’s Liberating Structures in healthcare Special Interest Group – all are welcome! (Includes a sign-up page if you’d like to try leading a particular Liberating Structure in this safe space).
There’s also an LS user group in Scotland (started by two Q members, contact Kirsty Ellis) and other groups in London, Cardiff, Leeds and the West Midlands.