Cafés [collaborative dialogue following the World Café method] often surface differences of opinion and understanding; this is part of their ability to generate new insights. However, differences can foster either energy and excitement or anxiety and dissension. If you anticipate difficulties or discover that a conversation seems to be getting really stuck, then in an upcoming round you might encourage participants to use the following three statements as their dialogue unfolds. Using this simple discipline appropriately can make the difference between a conversation that is ineffective and divisive and one in which everyone takes advantage of the diversity of thought and opinion for their mutual learning:
- What I heard you say that I appreciated is ...
- What I heard that challenged my thinking is ...
- To better understand your perspective I’d like to ask you ...
