Photo: Fishbowl – ASMPQ annual conference bringing together around a hundred people on the theme of socio-ecological transition, May 2022
“At the first ESPUM Indigenous Public Health Symposium on March 19, 2024, we experimented with the Fishbowl format recommended by the Percolab Coop team. This choice transformed our discussions: it made it possible to highlight the diversity and complementarity of the expertise present, while promoting a rich dialogue. The feedback from the participants confirms the impact of this format which echoed certain traditional practices of discussions and listening.”
Coralie Niquay , Co-founder of the ESPUM Indigenous Public Health Circle
In the field of collaborative practices, the “Fishbowl” conversation format is a powerful tool for transforming conventional “talk-at” conversation into inclusive and meaningful dialogue. This method induces a paradigm shift: from the expert who transmits to a passive audience towards a participatory and egalitarian dialogue, valuing the perspectives and contributions of all.
What is a Fishbowl conversation?
A Fishbowl format stands out for its ability to create trust and intimacy within large groups. It is a structuring and participatory process: an inner circle, composed of 4 to 6 chairs, constitutes the epicenter of the active discussion. Around this circle, concentric listening circles invite other participants to actively listen while being free to join or leave the inner circle and thus contribute to the exchange.
Why the name? The conversation takes place transparently, open for everyone’s eyes, like an aquarium, providing structure, autonomy and accessibility at the same time. This format allows for exchanging ideas, the exploration of common questions and the appreciation of the diversity of experiences and perspectives.
Why use this format?
- Transform hierarchical dynamics: Fishbowl conversations invite us to rethink the roles of an expert (active) and audience (passive), by promoting co-responsibility in the dialogue and encouraging all to be active in the exchange.
- Encourage inclusive dialogue: Each participant, whatever their level of expertise, can contribute according to their desires and abilities.
- Amplify autonomy: This format invites individuals to take care of the quality of exchanges, thus empowering the group as a whole.
How to organize a Fishbowl conversation?
1️⃣ PREPARATION
- Arrange the space: Arrange concentric circles of chairs, with an empty seat in the inner circle to encourage participants to step in.
- Communicate the objective: Clearly explain the discussion’s topic and expectations.
- Welcoming participants: Invite everyone to share their connection to the theme, creating a welcoming atmosphere. This can be done as a check-in activity where groups of 2 or 3 people share together.
2️⃣ PROTOCOL (presented by a facilitator):
- Introduction: Explain the rules – Participants in the outer circle can join the inner circle when they want to contribute. People in the inner circle can leave their seat when they no longer wish to contribute to the conversation and offer their space to others.
- Start the discussion: Plan an initial exchange between a few key stakeholders or ask a simple opening question to spark the discussion.
- Dynamic flow: Encourage active listening in the audience and intervene lightly if the implicit rules need to be reiterated to remind participants to share the conversation.
3️⃣ CONCLUSION
- Collective summary: Set aside time to collect participant insights and what they learned through the process.
- Feedback: Invite the first wave of key stakeholders or guest speakers to share their impressions and what they are taking away from the experience.
Examples of concrete applications
- Future of Work Conference: After formal presentations, experts and the audience explore emerging questions together.
- Economic Development Forum: Newcomers to a region share their experiences in a circle, stimulating authentic dialogue.
- Rapidly growing company: Current and new employees talk about their journey, reinforcing a sense of collective belonging.
A few tips for success
- Caring facilitation: Provide a clear framework and support the group without over-directing.
- Creative documentation: A visual scribe or collaborative note-taking can enrich collective memory and render the outcomes of the conversation accessible.
- Flexibility: Adapt the format to the needs of the group and the context of the gathering.
Conclusion
By adopting Fishbowl conversations, we transform extractive and hierarchical ways of functioning in favor of an approach that encourages co-creation, mutual understanding and constructive dialogue. Let’s create spaces together where every voice counts and where dialogue cam
Photo: Fishbowl held in September 2018 with the community of social science researchers and scientists and practitioners in September 2018 at the Laurentian Biological Station of the Université de Montréal. Discussion theme: there is no Planet B
Photo: Fishbowl Facilitated by Samantha Slade with Frédéric Laloux at the CRHA conference in September 2018.