Your Challenge, Our Collective Brainpower

I’m excited to host our first meetup! I recently participated in this exercise at a leadership event, and it was so impactful that I decided to start a group around the idea. Below is the structure of our session. Please note that we need at least 3 RSVPs to apply the framework effectively.

## Structure for a 1-Hour Session (1 Case Presenter)

### 1. Welcome & Overview (5 minutes)

• Briefly introduce the balcony/dance floor metaphor.
• Review ground rules: confidentiality, curiosity, listening without judgment.
• Outline the flow of the hour.

***

### 2. Case Presentation (5 minutes)

• Case Presenter shares a real challenge or leadership gap.
  Prompts include:
• What is the challenge or problem you’re facing?
• Who are the major players and their interests?
• What actions have you taken or considered?
• What’s at stake for you?
• What do you want advice or reflection on?

Peer Advisers: Listen quietly, no interruptions.

***

### 3. Diagnostic Questions (10 minutes)

• Peer Advisers ask probing, clarifying questions.
• Goal: uncover pressures, assumptions, and blind spots—not solutions.
• Examples:
• What pressures are influencing the other players?
• Who has the most to lose if progress were made?
• What has been taken off the table, and why?

***

### 4. Diagnostic Brainstorming (10 minutes)

• Case Presenter turns off camera/mic (if virtual) or steps back (if in person).
• Peer Advisers discuss possible interpretations of the challenge.
• Focus: surfacing multiple perspectives, not solutions.
• Sample prompts:
• What hidden dynamics may be at play?
• How might the Case Presenter be unintentionally contributing?
• What’s an uncomfortable reality that might be avoided?

***

### 5. Active Brainstorming (10 minutes)

• Peer Advisers propose possible actions—ranging from safe to risky.
• Examples:
• What low- or high-risk tests could the presenter try?
• What courageous conversations might be necessary?
• What partnerships or relationships could shift the dynamic?

***

### 6. Case Presenter Reflection (10 minutes)

• Case Presenter returns to share insights.
• Prompts:
• What did you hear that surprised or challenged you?
• What new possibilities or actions feel worth trying?
• How has your understanding of the challenge shifted?

Peer Advisers simply listen—no feedback or commentary.

***

### 7. Closing & Debrief (10 minutes)

• Group reflects on the process:
• How did it feel to “get on the balcony”?
• What worked well? What was challenging?
• Would you want to repeat this practice as a regular meetup?