General overview of how to implement it

What is different about the Knowledge Café than similar methodologies is that no attempt is made to make decisions or reach consensus as part of the Café itself.

Often nothing is captured in a Café. The real outcomes are what people take away in their heads and the relationships that they develop.

A central tenet is that anything that gets in the way of the conversation’s free flow is a bad thing.

At its best, a Knowledge Café adheres to some principles that help create a relaxed, informal, conversational environment conducive to open dialogue and learning.

The key principles are:

Knowledge Café Principle: Conversation is King. It’s all about the conversation

Knowledge Café Principle: Create a phycological safe space. Where conversation can flourish

Knowledge Café Principle: Everyone has an equal voice. Everyone is an equal participant

Knowledge Café Principle: No preconceived outcomes. The outcomes are emergent

Knowledge Café Principle: Dialogue not debate. Be prepared to emerge a slightly different person

Knowledge Café Principle: Engage in small groups. Real conversation takes place in small groups

Knowledge Café Principle: Preserve the flow. Conversation flow should not be interrupted