Prepare → Frame → Listen → Clarify → Co-Create → Refine → Affirm

⌂ home

Ground yourself

1

Prepare

Don't enter reactive, defensive, or uncentered.

Ground yourself in purpose, values, and presence.

Understand the context, stakes, history, and constraints.
Identify what the space needs from you — information, tone, safety, boundaries.
Examine your biases, assumptions, and emotional posture.
Decide your stance: curious, patient, directive, supportive.
Anchor in your ethical commitments before engaging.

Build the container

2

Frame

People can't participate in a process they don't understand.

Define the purpose, scope, structure, and expectations.

State what the conversation is about — and what it isn't.
Set goals, boundaries, and guiding values.
Provide essential context and process information.
Establish norms or agreements for working together.
Ensure participants know what outcomes are possible today.

Understand

3

Listen

Where trust is built and the real problem becomes visible.

Surface experiences, impacts, concerns, and truths.

Invite perspectives openly and without interruption.
Acknowledge emotions, impacts, and lived realities.
Validate what you hear without agreeing or disagreeing.
Summarize themes so people feel accurately understood.
Surface tensions, misunderstandings, or patterns neutrally.

4

Clarify

The bridge between listening and problem-solving.

Probe, correct, reframe. Bring reality into the room.

Pose follow-up questions to deepen understanding.
Address misinformation or missing information.
Offer your own perspective, concerns, or constraints.
Reframe issues in neutral, accurate terms.
Ensure everyone is working from the same set of facts.
Help participants see the fuller picture.

Build forward

⟳

Co-Create and Refine are iterative — move between them until the path forward holds.

5

Co-Create

The creative and collaborative heart of the process.

Generate possibilities, options, and shared direction.

Explore options collaboratively.
Identify shared interests, values, and goals.
Map areas of alignment and divergence.
Brainstorm ways to reduce friction or meet core needs.
Celebrate insight, progress, and moments of connection.
Begin shaping the path forward together.

6

Refine

Iteration, responsiveness, and ethical accuracy.

Iterate, adjust, and ensure alignment before moving on.

Clean up misunderstandings and sharpen agreements.
Revisit decisions to ensure accuracy and fairness.
Check for renewed consent or buy-in.
Adjust plans based on new information or feedback.
Confirm that people's needs and concerns are still being met.
Prepare the group for forward momentum.

Close the space

7

Affirm

Continuity, closure, and commitment — not just ending.

Summarize, connect, and commit to the path ahead.

Recap what was learned, decided, or accomplished.
Name next steps clearly and responsibly.
Reinforce shared purpose, values, and collaboration.
Offer acknowledgment or gratitude for contributions.
Close the space with care, dignity, and a sense of direction.