Working Title: Creating Constructive Dialogue:
Using Empathy Circle practice to connect across differences
Trainer: Lou Zweier
Audience: Anyone wishing to create more understanding and constructive dialogue across people with differences (cultural, political, social, religious, economic, interpersonal, etc.)
Workshop Outline:
Welcome and participant ice-breaker
15 min Overview of Empathy and Empathy Circle Practice - 15 min.
Demonstrate Empathy Circle Practice
(4 people, 2 min. each, 2 rounds = 15 min)
Participants engage in Empathy Circle practice
(groups of 5, 3 min. each, 3 rounds = 45 min) -
Topic: Whatever is on your mind that is important to you.
Reflection on experience of Empathy Circle practice in groups - 10 min.
Whole group sharing on Empathy Circle experience/learnings - 5 min.
Break - 15 min.
Deep Listening - Intro to listening for feelings and needs - 10 min
Deep listening Demo - 10 min
Deep listening practice (groups of 3 for 4 min each = 15 min)
Participate in 2nd Empathy Circle
(groups of 5, 3 min each, 3 rounds = 45 min) - Topic: Some controversial topic?
Reflection on 2nd Empathy Circle experience - 10 min
Whole group sharing on 2nd Empathy Circle - 5 min.
Brainstorm use of practice in various areas of life (home, work, community, world, online) - 10 min.
Workshop Close - Thank you’s, Follow up activities, what people are taking away - 10 min