Living Room Conversations – Two People
Adapted from a 6-person discussion format used by the group Living Room Conversations: https://www.livingroomconversations.org/
Printable Google Doc of 2-person LRC
Living Room Conversations – Two People
Overview
In the two-person version of a Living Room Conversation, two people come together to get to know one another in a more meaningful way. Guided by a simple and sociable format, participants practice being open and curious about each other's perspectives, with a focus on learning from one another, rather than trying to debate the topic at hand.
Possible variation
A person can choose the same topic for several two-person Living Room Conversations with different partners – maybe talk with several people who are experts on that topic.
In Advance of the Conversation
In advance of a 2-person Living Room Conversation, the two people choose a topic. Either choose a topic from this list https://www.livingroomconversations.org/topics/ or see these suggestions for how to create your own topic https://www.livingroomconversations.org/create-your-own-topic/
The Living Room Conversation Ground Rules
Be Curious and Open to Learning
Listen to and be open to hearing all points of view. Maintain an attitude of exploration and learning. Conversation is as much about listening as it is about talking.
Show Respect and Suspend Judgment
Human beings tend to judge one another, do your best not to. Setting judgments aside will better enable you to learn from the other person and help them feel respected and appreciated.
Look for Common Ground and Appreciate Differences
In this conversation, we look for what we agree on and simply appreciate that we will disagree on some beliefs and opinions.
Be Authentic and Welcome that from Others
Share what’s important to you. Speak authentically from your personal and heartfelt experience. Be considerate to the other person when they do the same.
Be Purposeful and to the Point
Notice if what you are conveying is or is not “on purpose” to the question at hand. Notice if you are making the same point more than once.
Own and Guide the Conversation
Take responsibility for the quality of your participation and the conversation by noticing what’s happening and actively support getting yourself and the other person back “on purpose” when needed.
Though feedback is consistently positive, some people are concerned about managing people that dominate the conversation as well as off-topic, or disruptive situations during the Living Room Conversation. We offer these tips:
● Both people share responsibility for guiding the conversation and is invited to help keep the conversation on track.
● The two people can decide to keep track of time in some way to help people remember to keep their comments similar in length to others. Soft music when the time is up is a great reminder.
● If an area of interest has arisen that has taken you off topic, ask the other person if they would like to set aside the new topic for a separate Living Room Conversation.
● If someone is dominating, disruptive or has found their soapbox, respectfully interrupt the situation, refer to the Ground Rules and invite them to get back on track with the current question
● If you opts to shift from the format of the Living Room Conversations, please provide us with feedback for future learning. There are many ways to have a great conversation! Thank you! feedback@livingroomconversations.org
Two Person Living Room Conversation
Rounds/Questions: The Living Room Conversation Starts Here
For suggestions about topics, see section above, “In advance of the conversation”.
Round One: Getting Started / Hopes and Concerns for the Future?
Answer one or more of the following:
● What interested you or drew you to this conversation?
● What sense of purpose / mission / duty guides you in your life?
● What would your best friend say about who you are and what makes you “tick”?
● What are your hopes and concerns for your community and/or the country?
Round Two: Discuss the Topic
Use the questions for Round 2 from the specific topic guide.
Round Three: What Are We Learning Here? and Declaring Next Steps
Answer one or more of the following questions:
● In one sentence, share what was most meaningful / valuable to you in the experience of this Living Room Conversation.
● What learning, new understanding or common ground was found on this topic?
● What is one important thing you thought was accomplished here?
● Is there a next step you would like to take based upon the conversation you just had?
Closing – Thank you! Please complete the feedback form to help improve Living Room Conversations: feedback form
Living Room Conversations is an open source project. Please use, share and modify with attribution to www.LivingRoomConversations.org