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Guide

Liberating Structures

33+ simple techniques for facilitating meetings, workshops and conversations.

About this guide

This guide is about how to use Liberating Structures to change the way we work and collaborate. Liberating Structures is designed to 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. 

An black and white image of 33+ liberating structures
A repertoire of 33+ liberating structures Image: courtesy of www.liberatingstructures.com

How to use this guide

The Liberating Structures website has detailed information on each of the 33 approaches, as well as background information on the theory and application. 

Start with the theory of Liberating Structures or dive straight into the approaches by clicking on the grid midway down on the homepage. 

Or read on for how Liberating Structures are being used within the Q community.

Access the tools on the Liberating Structures website Liberating Structures

Techniques for faciliating workshops, meetings and conversations

The 33+ easy-to-learn diverse approaches that make up Liberating Structures are especially useful when working with a group because they encourage everyone to be involved in tackling complex challenges.

Throughout 2018 Q held three very popular workshops on Liberating Structures. 

Here is some of the feedback from participants:

I felt energised and interested all day. It was a really interesting experience.’

It was lots of fun and I learned so much. I can definitely see methods that I can use at work and at home.’

Useful, practical, easy to understand techniques – just what I was looking for. Advice on what techniques to use and when.’

Liberating Structures use within the Q community

Q members are using Liberating Structures in a range of ways. 

Q’s Liberating Structures group meets online each month to explore, practice and trial one or more of the Structures. It’s a supportive space, and everyone is welcome. 

While there are varying levels of experience with Liberating Structures and facilitation in the group, no one is an expert. Everyone is safe to try something new and learn together through participation.

Join the Q online Liberating Structures group
Read Hilda Campbell’s opinion piece on the transformative power of Liberating Structures

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