One of the most fundamental ways to conduct a good dialogue or round table discussion, is done through learning to listen attentively and be present. Most times, we sit and prepare what to say when it’s our turn. Or, we want to respond to someone and focus on that, rather than letting the word travel, and evolve accordingly. Here are three exercises that are a great practice for improving our skills, so that we better can take part of conversation circles.

Exercise 1: Whisper a word, or a full sentence, to the person sitting next to you. Then let him or her continue to pass it on, by whispering into the next person’s ear. Note that you’re not supposed to repeat anything, just whisper once. At the end of the circle, the last person says it out loud. Guess what, it might have become something completely different! The lesson is, we think we know what was said, but we didn’t hear it correctly.

Exercise 2: The first person says any word. Then the next person in the circle, associates freely on that word. Note, that you’re not supposed to decide beforehand what to say, but wait until it’s your turn, since the association might develop into a direction that you don’t know yet.

Exercise 3: Time to delve deeper into a specific topic. This time, we might go in the opposite direction or change places in the circle first. The first person starts defining and describing a subject. The next continues, by adding his or her own examples and definitions and so forth. Make sure to also give space for questioning, other perspectives, and any problem solving, letting one thing lead to the next. The best solution may need steps to be found!

This is part of the planned conversation circles we’re about to have at Telluselle Living Center, alongside group coaching, and brainstorming sessions for green innovations.