10.25 The Nature and Need for Nuance

The Final Word Protocol

The purpose of this protocol is to give each person in the group an opportunity to have their ideas, understandings, and perspective enhanced by hearing from others. With this protocol, the group can explore an article, clarify their thinking, and have their assumptions and beliefs questioned in order to gain a deeper understanding of the issue.

Roles

Assign a Facilitator/Timekeeper (who also participates)

Part I - Individual - 10 mins

1. Each participant should read the article and identify one most significant idea from the text: How Leaders Can Identify, Engage and Leverage Nuance.

2. Add your individual selected quotes to this sheet. Choose any row; no need to go in order. 

Part II - Group - 20 mins

Each person will have an opportunity to share their selected quote. For each round, allow about 4 minutes (circles of 4-5 participants, response 1 minute each, final word for presenter 1 minute). Total time is about 20 minutes.

3. The first person begins by reading what struck them the most from the article. Have this person refer to where the quote is in the text — one thought or quote only. Then, in less

than 1 minute, this person describes why that quote struck them. For example, why do they agree/disagree with the quote? What questions do they have about that quote? What issues does it raise for them? What do they now wonder about in relation to that quote?

4. Continuing around the circle, each person briefly responds to that quote and what the

presenter said, in less than a minute. The purpose of the response is:

• To expand on the presenter’s thinking about the quote and the issues raised for them

by the quote

• To provide a different look at the quote

• To clarify the presenter’s thinking about the quote

• To question the presenter’s assumptions about the quote and the issues raised

5. After going around the circle with each person having responded for less than one minute, the person who began has the “final word.” In no more than one minute, the presenter responds to what has been said. Now what are they thinking? What is their reaction to what they have heard?

6. Proceed around the group, responding to the next presenter’s quote in the same way as the first presenter’s. This process continues until each person has had a round with their quote.

7. End by debriefing the process in your small group. Be prepared to share an insight or takeaway from your group!