Great topic! I can't wait to listen to the whole episode :) Designing good workshops is both a science and an art, and you can draw from fields such as applied improvisation, design thinking, game thinking, complex systems design, experience design, applied larpology, and applied ludology. There is also a wealth of fascinating research to build upon, from collective intelligence studied by Anita Woolley, to group flow states (theoretical model by Keith Sawyer), the impact of status, power, and hierarchy on communication, and (of course!) psychological safety, belonging cues, and more. In addition, we have countless tools for designing and moderating group processes, starting from Liberating Structures and various retrospectives, to social warm-ups from applied improvisation, and narrative situation mapping techniques from educational larps. As a pleasant, soft, yet quite practical inspiration, I recommend "The Art of Gathering," dedicated to intentional design and the conduct of various events.
All good ideas! And coincidentally, BNW episode 82 is coming to RU-vid in the next few weeks, which was Aaron and Rodney's interview with Lindsey Caplan about "The Art of Gathering". Make sure to check it out if you haven't listened to it yet.
