Way of Council
The group sits in a circle, ideally outdoors, around a simple centre. A talking piece passes from hand to hand and only the person holding it speaks; everyone else listens. People respond to one guiding question by telling something from their own experience, not by arguing a position.
Use when a team needs to hear each other properly before a decision, after a hard period, or at the start of a retreat where status and seniority usually decide who talks.
Solves: In normal meetings the same few voices fill the space and nobody hears what the quieter people actually think.
- 1
Step 1: Set up the circle with a simple centre (a cloth, stones, a candle) and choose a talking piece from the site (5 min).
- 2
Step 2: Explain the four intentions: listen from the heart, speak from the heart, be lean of expression, be spontaneous. Agree that what is said stays in the circle (5 min).
- 3
Step 3: Run a short warm-up round with an easy question so people get used to the talking piece (10 min).
- 4
Step 4: Offer the guiding question. Pass the piece around the circle in order; people may pass it on without speaking (30-50 min).
- 5
Step 5: If time allows, put the piece in the centre for a second, unordered round where anyone can pick it up (10 min).
- 6
Step 6: Close with a one-word or one-breath round and a clear moment that ends the council (5 min).
- Pick a question that invites a story: 'When did you last feel this team at its best?' works better than 'What should our strategy be?'.
- Speak first yourself, briefly, to show the length and honesty you hope for.
- Outdoors, choose a sheltered spot with seating for everyone, including people who cannot sit on the ground.
- Fishbowl council: a small inner circle speaks while an outer circle witnesses, then the outer circle gives a short round of what they heard.
- Walking council: pairs walk with the question before the circle and then speak in council.