Have you ever experienced an “unconference” or a world café? What was your experience?
Some years ago, leading up to my first unconference, I was skeptical. If no one is preparing PowerPoints or lectures, how on earth will anyone learn? And then, the event took me by surprise. People learned. People engaged. The energy was so much higher than the traditional “sage on a stage” format. I became a believer.
What’s it all about?
Nonprofits are experimenting more with unstructured conferences, and this is a good thing for bottom-up innovation. Participants decide on the agenda and topics. People gather and begin with some icebreakers, and then they answer some initial questions on a white board, such as what topics they came to learn about, or what expertise they have that they are willing to teach. From the white board, a loose agenda for the day is created. Designated areas are set up where people can go to teach, learn, or discuss that particular topic.
Compared to traditional lecture-style presentations and planned workshops, this is more spontaneous and flexible. It prioritizes peer-to-peer learning and interactions.
My own nonprofit had an all-staff retreat yesterday, an unconference. We built relationships anew, learned more about each other’s work, and shared actionable ideas.
My friend Patricia Munro also relies on an unstructured conference format for World Café Europe.
No need to overdesign.
Rather than overdesigning with processes and formal structures, sometimes the better approach is for leaders to forgo the temptation to organize and instead simply get out of the way of entrepreneurial people. This can make all the difference in whether teams can achieve their entrepreneurial best, constructively solve problems together, and accomplish the best possible outcomes.
Would love to hear your thoughts or experiences about this, feel free to share in the comments. Or, for more information about unconferences, I’m glad to share materials, just send me a DM on LinkedIn or through the contact me form at leahkral.com.
In case you missed it
Enjoyed speaking on a panel about 📈 measurement and evaluation at the annual conference of The Association of Private Enterprise Education in Las Vegas. Always an honor to be surrounded by dedicated teachers with such passion for their students. Was impressed by students presenting their dissertations. Caught up with old friends and made some new friends. 😊 Saw Elvis impersonators! Vegas is a, um, zany place. Made a side trip to beautiful Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon. Stunning.
Had a fun podcast conversation with host Adam Morris! Relentlessly curious, Adam is the founder of GiveBackHack which brings idea makers together to pitch and develop sustainable solutions to pressing social issues. 💡 Check out the podcast here: https://peoplehelpingpeople.world/2024/04/18/leah-kral-innovation-for-social-change/
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., said, "It is not enough to aid the wounded man on the [Jericho] Road. It is also necessary to work to change the conditions of the Road which made robbery possible." This is the inspiration behind the Better Samaritan Podcast, at the intersection of humanitarianism, faith and the call to love our neighbor. ❤️
I was honored and delighted to be a guest on the show! A conversation with heart, with hosts Jamie Aten and Kent Annan, founders of the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College. Listen in here.
It’s not every day that you wake up to discover that two powerhouse consultants released a fun YouTube video discussion of your book! Delighted by how Lori Stanley and Jay Smith brought their own experience and keen insights as they engaged with the book’s stories and ideas. 💡 Thank you, Lori and Jay, wow. Looking forward to more book discussions like this! Hat tip to Nonprofit Hive and Tasha Van Vlack - where we met. 🐝
What's different about a board that supports a culture of innovation? What is your experience? 🎤Thoroughly enjoyed being interviewed by board expert Hardy Smith in Innovative Nonprofit Boards. If the name sounds familiar, he is the author of “Stop the Nonprofit Board Blame Game” - his website, blog and nonprofit reading list are fantastic resources.
Next up - getting ready to take a mini vacation to the nearby Eastern Shore, eat Maryland blue crab to my heart’s content, enjoy campfires, and watch bald eagles glide by. Happy sigh… 🦀
Hi, Leah- Thanks for sharing this. I particularly love this open attitude after the initial skepticism. Your writing is a great reminder of the importance of thoughtful review. Hope you're well this week. Cheers, -Thalia