Liberating Structures

Zoe Lord
Senior Transformation Lead
NHS Horizons
@ZoeLord1 @HorizonsNHS
Sept 2018
What are Liberating Structures?
 Liberating Structures

Simple rules
that includes
everyone in
shaping the
future
Rooted in complexity theory
 You gain from You gain from
control disorder
• Calm things down to • Stir things up to promote
promote predictability anti-fragility & creative
adaptability
How did I get interested in them?
Where and when do I use them?
How are other Qs using them?
 Liberating Structures
How Q members are using LS…
25/10 Crowdsourcing: for ‘Ideas
for embedding patient safety
cultures in our organisations’
– Cleo Butterworth
(Health Innovation Network/S
London AHSN)
Ecocycle Planning: planning to
review all the projects of the Oxford
Patient Safety Collaborative
– Jo Murray
(Oxford AHSN)
 Liberating Structures

How Q members are using LS…

25/10 Crowdsourcing: for ideas to Ecocycle Planning: with an

move staff culture forward (on Executive team which needed the
AHSN away-day) headspace to develop new work
– Ursula Clarke – Jane Pightling
 Liberating Structures

Using more than one LS in a string…

Longer LS string: Impromptu networking;1-2- Short LS string: Impromptu

4-all; 25/10 crowdsourcing for Sepsis Patient networking and 25/10
engagement Crowdsourcing at
– Jo Murray Polypharmacy Workshop
Also considering using Wise Crowds and – Cleo Butterworth
Discovery and Action Dialogue
 Liberating Structures

Using more than one LS in a string…

Short LS string: Generative Relationships STAR and

Discovery and Action Dialogue to help two parts of
adult services dept better work as one whole team
– Esther Hall
How are other Qs using them?
Attributes
Attributes of Liberating Structures

Zoe Lord @ZoeLord1

Attributes of Liberating Structures
Expert-less

Zoe Lord @ZoeLord1

Attributes of Liberating Structures
Expert-less
Results-focused
Rapid cycling

Zoe Lord @ZoeLord1

Attributes of Liberating Structures
Expert-less Inclusive
Results-focused Multi-scale
Rapid cycling
Seriously fun

Zoe Lord @ZoeLord1

Attributes of Liberating Structures
Expert-less Inclusive
Results-focused Multi-scale
Rapid cycling Self-spreading
Seriously fun

Zoe Lord @ZoeLord1

Attributes of Liberating Structures
Expert-less Inclusive
Results-focused Multi-scale
Rapid cycling Self-spreading
Seriously fun Modular

Zoe Lord @ZoeLord1

Henri Lipmanowicz Keith McCandless

Who seems more serious and

more playful?

LIBERATING STRUCTURES CO-DEVELOPERS

 Made available through a Creative Commons Non-
Commercial, Attribution, Share-and-Share Alike License

You can use ‘em, you can share ‘em,

but you can’t sell ‘em
Slide content adapted from materials developed by Keith McCandless
Most photographs by Keith McCandless, others as noted
Today: Liberating Structures taster
 Liberating Structures

Our plan
1. Triz [18m]
2. 25/10 Crowd sourcing [10m]
3. Troika consulting [15m]
4. Debrief 1-2-4-All [5m]
5. Matchmaker [to take away]
TRIZ
Stop Counterproductive Activities and
Behaviours to Make Space for Innovation
(18mins)
TRIZ

How can we create a change programme that

completely fails and is detrimental to patients and
staff?

TRIZ
Step 1
As a table group make a list of “to-dos” on the first paper sheet
in answer to the question:

How can we create a change programme that completely fails

and is detrimental to patients and staff?

Go wild!
5 minutes
Use post it notes (1 idea per post it!) TRIZ
Step 2
As a table group, go down your first list and ask:
‘Is there anything that we are currently doing that in any
way, shape or form resembles any of the items on list
one?’

Mark the items from list one that apply

Be unforgiving about these items and talk about their
impact
4 minutes TRIZ
Usually…Step 3
As a table group, go down your second list from step 2
and ask:

“what are the first steps that will help us stop getting
undesirable results?”

Make a list of actions on another sheet

Identify one big idea for action
Time available: 5 minutes TRIZ
Instead…

15% solutions
Discover and focus on what each
person has the freedom and
resources to do now
Think about your own work again.
What is your 15 percent? Where do you have
discretion and freedom to act? What can you do
without more resources or authority?
Make your own list [2 minutes]
Usually - In pairs or 3s, share your ideas and help
each other to refine them [5 mins]
- Can the action step be more specific?
- Could the person be bolder?
- Is there more that’s within their power?
Microstructural Debrief: Pairs

What did you notice

about the structure?

What was made possible

or liberated?
25/10 crowd
sourcing
Rapidly generate and sift a group’s
most powerful actionable ideas
Usually… Volunteer needed!

Who has a problem or challenge for which they

would like to tap the wisdom and knowledge of
the whole group?
What would you love the Q Community to do next?
If you were ten times bolder, what big idea would you recommend?

Write your bold idea and first step clearly on the card.
Scoring
1 = huh?
5 = woweee! This is a brilliant idea and I
would be willing to get involved and help
make this happen
Microstructural Debrief :: Pairs

What did you notice

about the structure?

What was made possible

or liberated?
Troika
Consulting
Get practical and imaginative help
from colleagues immediately
Select a challenge or
situation that you would
like to get imaginative help
around.
This will be a chance to tap into the
imaginations of your colleagues,
so be bold!
What is your challenge?
What kind of help do you need?
Get into groups of 3
Everyone thinks of a challenge they’d like help
with [1 minute]
In turn each person plays the client while the
others act as consultants, so three times:
1. Client explains problem [1 min]
2. Clarifying questions [2 mins]
3. Client turns their back around and listens
4. Consultants discuss problem [4 mins]
5. Client turns around and debriefs [1 min]
Microstructural Debrief :: Pairs

What did you notice

about the structure?

What was made possible

or liberated?
1-2-4-all
Engage everyone
simultaneously in generating
questions, ideas and
suggestions
What did you notice about liberating
structures?
What was structured?
What was liberated?
1. In silence, think about your own answer [1 minute]
2. Now discuss with your neighbour [2 minutes]
a. What’s in common, what’s different?
b. Are there any patterns emerging?
3. Now each pair finds another pair and discusses
again [4 minutes]
4. Each group in turn, what stood out that the rest of
the group needs to hear? [5 minutes]
Matchmaker
Select & Sequence LS for a
Specific Purpose
Thank you
 Liberating Structures

Stay in touch
Zoe Lord
Senior Transformation Lead
NHS Horizons
@ZoeLord1

Website: http://www.liberatingstructures.com/

Book: Amazon link here

App: Available on iPhone & Android