Method guide · Arrange people and ideas
Talking sticks
Use a shared object or equivalent card to indicate a speaking turn without favouring people who can reach the object fastest.
- People
- 3–20
- Base procedure time
- 20 minutes
- Recording
- No record
Purpose: Explore through dialogue; Build working relationships.
English guide
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How this method works
Use one shared object as the signal for a speaking turn to reduce interruptions. Put an object that does not borrow cultural significance in the centre and give a speaking-request card with the same meaning to anyone who does not reach for it. Only the person holding the object or invited through a card speaks, then returns the object to the centre. Also process cards in the order raised so that the fastest person to take the object does not speak repeatedly. Agree a speaking limit and passing before starting. Do not record contributions. Do not use this without an alternative signal for people who cannot reach the object, or to bring everyone to one decision.
Phase schedule
Minutes are cumulative from the start of the base plan, not a live timer. Read scaling for any additional time. Phase controls do not advance automatically.
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- Check the shared object and alternative signal0–3 minutes from the start (3 minutes)
Action: Check. Participation: Small group able to move around.
No record
- Agree a speaking limit and passing3–6 minutes from the start (3 minutes)
Action: Agree. Participation: Small group able to move around.
No record
- Show a request with the object or a card6–8 minutes from the start (2 minutes)
Action: Show. Participation: Small group able to move around.
No record
- Speak and return the object to the centre8–18 minutes from the start (10 minutes)
Action: Speak. Participation: Small group able to move around.
No record
- Check whether passing was respected18–20 minutes from the start (2 minutes)
Action: Check. Participation: Small group able to move around.
No record
Facilitation steps
- For 3 minutes, check the shared object’s lack of borrowed cultural significance and the meaning of the alternative cards.
- For 3 minutes, agree one person’s speaking limit and confirm that everyone may pass.
- For 2 minutes, people who want to speak take the object or show a card; do not keep people who cannot take it waiting.
- For 10 minutes, only the invited person speaks and returns the object to the centre whenever they finish.
- For 2 minutes, collect the object and cards and check whether everyone’s right to pass was respected.
If something changes
If
At the 3-minute point from the start, not a single alternative card is visible for people who do not reach for the object.
Then
Do not start the discussion. Put enough alternative cards for all participants where everyone can see them.
If
The same person takes the object 2 times in succession while at least one other speaking-request card is raised.
Then
Return the object to the centre and invite one person whose card was already raised before resuming.
If
One person’s contribution exceeds the agreed limit.
Then
Use a signal to end the contribution and return the object to the centre after the speaker’s final sentence.
Preparation
Materials
- One shared object per group that does not borrow cultural significance
- Alternative speaking-request cards: one per person
Room and setup
- Place the shared object in the centre and arrange the space so alternative cards are also visible.
Adjust for people and time
For 3–10 people, use one object in one circle. For 11–20 people, divide evenly into two circles. For 21 or more people, divide the participant count by 10 and round up for the number of groups, then distribute people evenly with no more than 10 per group. Provide one object and alternative cards in each group. Do not consolidate contributions or speaking order across groups. If one joint decision is needed, follow with a separate convergence method.
Safety and non-applicable situations
Choose an object that does not borrow cultural significance. Provide equivalent cards for people who do not or cannot reach for it, and process those requests in order. Agree speaking limits and passing beforehand. Do not record contributions or use this method alone to bring everyone to one joint decision.
Manuscript's recorded references
These translate the original manuscript's source and rights claims. They remain separate from any current-page notice below; they do not establish new verification.
- Seeds for Change Facilitation Tools: Talking sticks
https://www.seedsforchange.org.uk/tools
anti-copyright adaptation; changes made
- Conditions applying to anti-copyright
https://www.seedsforchange.org.uk/resources
anti-copyright
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