Round tables should be incorporated in to all aspects of our lives - family, school, work, hobbies, communities, governments etc., and at all levels of society - local, regional, national and international/global levels.
- What Is A Round Table?
- A round table is a gathering of people, who come together to communicate, share, contribute, discuss, problem-solve and decide on matters that affect their lives.
- Round tables are transparent and inclusive. The goal is to connect with others.
- Round tables draw on 'the wisdom of the crowds' - where the many are smarter than the few, and decisions made by the many are better than decisions made by the few.
- Where appropriate, use relevant experts in the field being discussed.
- Round tables aren't about reaching consensus, meaning not everyone has to agree. They're about reaching mutual understanding and consideration, problem solving through the group, acquiring collective intelligence, increasing emotional intelligence, creating togetherness, having open and sincere discussions, developing deeper acquaintances, establishing good relationships between people, and creating a connection where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
- Round tables don't need to happen around a table that's round, they don't even need to happen around a table. The word round implies unity, cohesion, togetherness and equality, and the word table implies a place where people gather together.
- Rules Of The Round Table:
- Everyone Is Equal:
- Connection with others is the most important thing.
- There is no head of the table, everyone at the table is equal.
- No one is greater than or lesser than the other.
- Everyone has the right to be there.
- Everyone's contribution is valuable.
- No one is obligated to speak, those who do so, speak voluntarily.
- Speaking:
- Do's:
- Be brief and concise so others have a chance to speak.
- Speak from your heart, openly and honestly.
- Build on what others are saying by adding your contribution.
- Be constructive and positive, being mindful of the influence you have on others.
- Don'ts:
- Do not dominate the conversation.
- Do not comment negatively on what others have said.
- Do not argue with others.
- Listening:
- Do's:
- Try and "feel" what the speaker is saying.
- Try and connect with the speaker, clothe yourself in his/her thoughts and desires.
- Be attentive and pay attention to what the speaker is saying.
- Don'ts:
- Do not interrupt the speaker.
- Do not distract others from listening to the speaker.
- Do not engage in disruptive behaviour e.g. texting on your phone.
___________
Reference:- Rules of the Roundtable. www.youtube.com. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
