Split for discussion and join for sharing

Split for discussion and join for sharing

An illustration of three people together

As shown in the little math story, spliting the team in smaller groups can save you a lot of time in meetings.

There is two big ways you can use the split and join method.

First, you can have the same challenge for every group. That's great when you want a lot of ideas and then be able to decide which one is the best.

Or, second, you can give different challenges to each group. Then once they come back toghether you see how the different pieces come together. This makes it possible to get the preparatory work done quickly. You can then take more time to share a feedback elements to make the work of each group final.

Free Facilitation Course: Simple tips for less terrible meetings

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Introduction

  • Meet your coach
  • What you won't learn
  • The three big meeting problems we'll tackle
  • The seven tricks I'll teach you
  • When did I write this course?

1. Setup roles and rules so that it feels like a game

  • Introduction
  • Set the time keeper role or bad cop
  • Set the caring parent role or good cop
  • Set minimal rules and make people agree to them personally
  • Remember this

2. Define a time limit per topic to ensure you end up on time

  • Introduction
  • Realize that you have less time than planned
  • Set a buffer time
  • Set a visible timer for each topic
  • Remember this

3. Use sticky notes to show where the discussion is

  • Introduction
  • Put sticky notes on a wall and use them to build clarity
  • Use one sticky note per idea, group it and move it
  • Write in an easy to read way
  • Remember this

4. Create a parking space for new ideas and off topic elements

  • Introduction
  • Make the parking visible and tell the story
  • Have time? Review the parking at the end
  • In a rush? Add categories in your parking
  • Remember this

5. Use votes to not talk for hours about what's already obvious

  • Introduction
  • Give multiple dots to vote and make it fun
  • Use faith or another culturally relevant voting criteria
  • Use multiple rounds of votes for complex decisions
  • Remember this

6. Make people work in smaller groups and then share the summary

  • Introduction
  • Split for discussion and join for sharing
  • Make groups of no more than 4
  • Give a clear challenge, a clear timing and a clear end result
  • Remember this

7. Separate the mindsets to make it less confusing

  • Introduction
  • Separate coming up with ideas and deciding
  • Separate the criteria when deciding
  • Mark the separation of mindsets
  • Remember this

What you learned and how to make it stick

  • Introduction
  • Review the summary and the one thing to remember
  • Learn by teaching
  • Make a plan

End notes

  • Introduction
  • Thank you note
  • License