Three-Stage Fishbowl Discussion
Complimentary Tool for Active Meetings!

Overview

A fishbowl is a discussion format in which a portion of the group forms a discussion circle and the remaining participants form a listening circle around the discussion group. This is one of the more interesting ways to set up a discussion.

Procedure

1. Devise three questions for discussion relevant to the meeting. Ideally, the questions should be interrelated, but that is not necessary. Decide in what order you would like the questions to be presented.
   
   For example, perhaps you are chairman of a committee planning a commemorative community fountain. The fountain project has faced unexpectedly severe criticism from some quarters, and you expect a lively debate. First, you probably would want to decide where the memorial fountain should be located. Next, you would want to decide on the general design of the fountain and then consider what the cost should be and how to pay for it.
   
   
2. Arrange chairs in a fishbowl configuration (two concentric circles). Have the participants count off by 1's, 2's, and 3's. Ask those from Group 1 to sit in the discussion circle, and ask Groups 2 and 3 to take their places in the outer-circle seats. Pose your first question for discussion and allow up to 10 minutes for discussion. If you wish, ask one of the participants to lead the discussion.
   
   
3. Next, invite the members of Group 2 to sit in the inner circle, replacing Group 1 members, who now move to the outer circle. Ask the members of Group 2 if they would like to make any brief comments about the first discussion, and then segue into the second discussion topic.
   
   

4. Follow the same procedure with members of the third discussion group.
   

5. When all three questions have been discussed, reconvene the group. Ask the participants for their thoughts about the entire project.
   

Variations

1. If it is not possible to have circles of chairs, have a rotating panel discussion instead. One third of the group serve as panelists for each discussion question. The panelists can sit in front of the room facing the rest of the participants. If you are using a U-shaped arrangement or a conference table, designate a side of the table for the panel group.
   
   
2. Use only one discussion question rather than three. Invite each subsequent group to respond to the discussion of the preceding group.

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Mel Silberman

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