Case clinic
A 7-step peer consultation method without a single piece of advice: the group says not what it thinks of the case, but what the presenter's story stirs in them — an image, a feeling, a gesture.
Time
45–55 min
Form
In small groups
Phase
Deepen · Close
Materials
Not needed
Step-by-step instructions
7 steps · 45–55 min
- The case and the intention — 10 min · the presenter speaks
The presenter brings a current situation where they lead and own the decision — in class, with a colleague, with parents. They say what is going on, how others see it, what they want to achieve, what they would have to let go of and where they want help. The group only asks clarifying questions. - Stillness — 2 min · together
For two minutes nobody says anything. Everyone notices what the story stirs in them, with three questions on the screen: what image came up, what feeling do you notice, what gesture captures the core? - Mirroring — 10 min · the group
In turn, everyone says what came up in the stillness: an image, a feeling, a gesture — no advice, no analysis. The presenter listens and takes notes. - The presenter responds — 3 min · the presenter speaks
What touched them in what they heard, which image stays with them? No defending: there is nothing to set straight. - Thinking further together — 15 min · together
Group and presenter build on each other's images: what do they show about the situation? Nobody has to solve the problem; the aim is a new view, not a plan. - Closing and appreciation — 5 min · together
Everyone closes with one sentence, the presenter says how they now see their situation and what their next step is, and everyone says what they appreciate in each other. - Writing for yourself — 2 min · together
Two minutes in silence, each for themselves: what did I learn, about the case or about myself? It does not have to be shared.
One case per round. A second presenter starts again at step 1; the player runs one round per name entered in the preparation and closes with the reflection questions.
Tips for the facilitator
Listening without rushing to help
Mirroring instead of advising
Team meeting of an hour, one case
A fresh view of your own leadership
Group of 4–5 colleagues, peers with no hierarchy between them. A quiet room. Pen and paper for each. One participant brings a current situation where they lead and own the decision.
- The first time, read the three stillness questions out loud and explain in one sentence what sensing is: not analysing what you heard, but noticing what it touched in you. During step 2 they are on the screen as well.
- Online: cameras on, everyone looks away from the screen during the stillness, and a gesture is simply shown on camera.
- More time? The original takes 60–75 minutes; then give thinking further together the most room.
- A class mentor whose class has split into two groups that shut each other out
- A head of department who wants to push a change through the team without losing its support
- A teacher who keeps getting stuck in conversations with the same parents
After the Presencing Institute's Case Clinic (CC BY), based on Scharmer, O. Theory U. Berrett-Koehler.
Pairs well with
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