Wise Crowds
Wise Crowds is a structured consultation process that allows individuals to receive targeted advice and support from a small group or a larger audience. It fosters collective intelligence and helps participants gain clarity on their challenges through peer-to-peer consulting.
Use this method when individuals need focused feedback and diverse perspectives on a specific challenge or opportunity. It's particularly useful for overcoming roadblocks, refining ideas, or gaining confidence in a chosen path.
Solves: Individual stuck in their own perspective; lack of diverse viewpoints; fear of asking for help.
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Step 1: The 'client' briefly presents their challenge and request for help. (2 minutes)
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Step 2: The 'consultants' ask clarifying questions to fully understand the challenge. (3 minutes)
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Step 3: The 'client' turns their back to the consultants to listen without interruption. (8 minutes)
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Step 4: The consultants discuss the challenge and offer advice and recommendations. (8 minutes)
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Step 5: The 'client' turns around and provides feedback on what was useful and what they will take away. (2 minutes)
- Encourage consultants to focus on asking 'What is happening here?' and 'How are you experiencing what is happening?'
- Remind participants to avoid jumping to solutions before fully understanding the problem.
- Q-Storming: Restrict the consulting to only asking honest, open questions, focusing on helping the client gain personal clarity.
- Large Group Wise Crowds: One person asks a whole room for help, with a primary consulting team and satellite consulting teams.