Designing a care-full engagement process: Troika coaching

The first example we would like to share is the Troika consulting technique. Set out below is a simple step-by-step guide for how to self-run a Troika session. If you would like to read further about this method, a more detailed description is available from the Liberating Structures website. If visiting their website you may also find it rewarding to explore some of the other methods featured in their Liberating Structures menu.  

Step 1: Invitation

Come together in groups of three, sitting together in a circle (if in person rather than online). Invite participants to first spend a moment (silently) considering the nature of the question they would like to ask the group, formulating it so as to convey both ‘what the challenge’ is they are facing and ‘what kind of help’ they need.

Agree who will begin in the role of ‘client’, with the other two beginning in the role ‘consultant’.

Step 2: Sharing

With consultants remaining completely silent, give the floor to the client to spend up to two minutes asking their question – that is, the challenge they are facing and the kind of help they need.

Step 3: Clarifying

Allow up to two minutes for the consultants to ask any clarifying questions (should they be needed)

Once clarification has been obtained, the client turns their chair such that they are sitting with their back to the two consultants (if this is an online session, such that they are not facing the computer monitor).

Step 4: Consulting

Working together the consultants now discuss aloud their ideas, suggestions and coaching advice based on the challenge that has been presented to them. This discussion and ideas generation should continue for 4-5 minutes.

Step 5: Responding

The client then turns back to face the consultant and feeds back to them on the most valuable aspects that they have received from the discussion. They should use 1-2 minutes to provide their response.

The group then swaps roles and repeat the session twice more to ensure all members have a chance to act as both ‘client’ and ‘consultant’

Additional tips:

• Where possible try to bring together groups of people with diverse backgrounds and experiences. As well as this potentially generating a wider range of advice, it also has the advantage of building trust and respect across a diverse group.
• Ensure to manage time care-fully throughout the session such that all participants benefit from the same amount of ‘client’ time.
• The client may wish to keep pen and paper to hand in order to note down any key points heard during the consulting part of the session.
• The purpose of the time limits is to encourage all individuals to become more practiced in formulating problems and refining their listening skills. However, if the first round does not produce helpful results, the group may wish to repeat via a second round, with the client also having the opportunity to formulate their question in an alternative way.
• Keep the space safe, including consulting and responding with appreciation and agreeing to confidentiality in the case of any sensitive issues raised.