Bring more awareness and choice to your thresholds and practice finding supportive language for guiding groups.
When we ask questions or make requests, our wording and delivery deeply influence the responses we receive. How can we use thresholds effectively to support movement, collaboration, and connection?
The term 'threshold' refers to encouraging or limiting the likelihood of people responding or objecting. In Convergent Facilitation, we aim to use thresholds that invite “just enough” interaction so we can move towards a decision without leaving anyone behind. We adjust our thresholds to help people speak up or step back depending on what we believe serves the group in each moment. Supportive thresholds help the group stay together and save time by focusing on information that moves us forward.
Why are thresholds important?​
Using thresholds effectivey will help you:
- compensate for power differences
- invite more diverse perspectives
- encourage people to speak up (or not)
- keep conversations focused
- avoid "long speeches" that don't support the group
- get things done quickly without leaving anyone behind
- resolve or prevent many other common challenges in meetings
