Liberating Structures

1-2-4-All

When to use: Generating ideas, surfacing questions, or making decisions in any group size. The most versatile entry point into Liberating Structures.

1. 1 (1 min): Each person reflects silently and writes their individual response to a question.
2. 2 (2 min): Pairs share and build on each other's ideas.
3. 4 (4 min): Pairs join to form groups of 4 and share what emerged from the pair conversations.
4. All (5 min): Groups of 4 share their most important insights with the whole group.

Total time: ~12 minutes. Works for any question, any size group. Guarantees that every voice is heard at least in the pair stage.

TRIZ

When to use: When a group needs to confront counterproductive patterns that everyone knows exist but no one names. The most powerful structure for organizational honesty.

1. Step 1 (10 min): Groups answer: "What would we need to do to guarantee the worst possible outcome for our goal?" Generate the most absurd, destructive ideas possible.
2. Step 2 (10 min): Groups identify which of these "worst practices" are actually happening — partially or fully — in the current situation.
3. Step 3 (10 min): Groups identify what first steps would help stop doing what is counterproductive.

TRIZ uses creative reversal to bypass defensiveness and surface what is too politically sensitive to name directly.

Troika Consulting

When to use: When individuals need help thinking through a complex challenge and the group has relevant experience to offer.

1. Groups of 3. One person is the "client" with a real challenge; two are "consultants."
2. Client presents (2 min): Describes the challenge in concrete terms.
3. Client turns away (8 min): The client physically turns their back. The two consultants discuss what they heard and what they would do — speaking as if the client is not there. The client listens and takes notes but does not respond.
4. Client turns back (2 min): The client shares what was most useful from what they heard.
5. Rotate roles so each person gets a turn as client.

The physical separation between client and consultants prevents the client from defending or explaining and forces the consultants to be concrete. People routinely report this is the most useful consultation they've experienced.

What I Need From You (WINFY)

When to use: Clarifying cross-functional needs and dependencies in teams or organizations where roles interact but expectations are unclear.

1. Each functional group identifies the 1–2 most essential things they need from each other group to succeed.
2. Groups share their needs one at a time. Receiving groups can only respond: YES / NO / I'll try / I need more information.
3. No discussion during the response phase — only the four responses above.
4. After all needs are shared and responded to, groups discuss what surprised them and what they will change.

15% Solutions

When to use: When a group is stuck in helplessness or waiting for permission from above to act. Shifts focus from what is impossible to what is already possible.

1. Each person identifies: "What is your 15% solution — what can you do right now, with what you have, without needing permission?"
2. Share in pairs, then in groups of 4.
3. Pairs and groups identify what support or resources from others would help scale each person's 15%.

1. Clarify the purpose: What do you want participants to know, decide, or commit to by the end?
2. Select 2–4 structures that progressively build toward that purpose. A common pattern: open with 1-2-4-All to surface current thinking → use Troika Consulting for depth → close with 15% Solutions for action commitment.
3. Test the string: Run through it mentally, checking that each structure's output feeds naturally into the next.
4. Brief participants at the start of each structure — not the whole session. Liberating Structures work through doing, not explaining.

• Lipmanowicz, H. & McCandless, K. (2014). The Surprising Power of Liberating Structures: Simple Rules to Unleash A Culture of Innovation. Liberating Structures Press.
• McCandless, K. & Lipmanowicz, H. (2020). Liberating Structures: Including and Unleashing Everyone. LiberatingStructures.com.
• Singhal, A. & Dura, L. (2017). Protecting the Endangered Species of Creative Organizational Practices. AI Practitioner, 19(2).