The Conversation Tree - A Moderator’s Guide to Facilitation
Nothing beats an insightful conversation.
Expert opinion, lively debate, conflicting perspectives… there is no better feeling than being in the center of it all.
But they don’t happen by accident. Managing conversations like these is an artform; the dialogue itself is a living, breathing thing.
As a moderator, I’ve learned that facilitating conversations is as much an act of control as it is one of cultivation.
I like to think of it as growing a Conversation Tree.
THE CONVERSATION TREE
Growing a Conversation Tree is a discipline.
Having a green thumb for connecting people and ideas helps, but there is more to it.
If you want a healthy tree, these are the things to look out for:
A healthy Conversation Tree is entirely dependent on its initial starting conditions.
There are 3 things to look for:
Depth of Interest – If you plant your tree in a topic where interest levels are shallow, it will never grow tall.
Data to Feed Discussions – Information-rich environments are the nutrients you need to feed debate.
High Exposure – the higher the discussion profile, the stronger the draw it has on participants and your audience.
These all must be considered well before you even plant the first seed.
Once the conversation is underway the role transitions from preparation to maintenance.
Keep it Hydrated – If you can feel discussion start to shrivel up, water it, don’t wait for rain to come.
Prune Dead Branches – If a branch of conversation is so weak it might break, prune it before anyone steps onto it.
Protect from Pests – Once in a while a conversation-eating-beetle will land on the tree; squash it.
Remember your role as a facilitator is not to dominate the conversation. Don’t get caught up watching the dialogue or there will be nobody maintaining the tree.
You know you’ve succeeded when the conversation spills into hallways, boardrooms, or message boards. Don’t forget to:
Share the Fruit – Don’t hoard the insights for yourself; let everyone harvest what was grown.
Spread the Seeds – A good conversation should spawn subsequent ones. Allow the debate to continue and build a life of its own.
Growing a healthy Conversation Tree is a mix of art and science. With strong preparation, diligent maintenance, and appropriate harvesting you’ll be able to create something bigger and longer lasting than you’d think possible.
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