The change was announced top-down, and it stays top-down.
Recognize this situation? Below are the Liberating Structures that change it — a concrete example, and the reason this one fits here. New to Liberating Structures? Here's what it is.
Integrated Autonomy deliberately looks for the balance between direction from the top and room to move lower down.
For example: The new policy gets announced in a single email: starting next month, everyone works according to the new model. There was never a moment where anyone outside leadership could weigh in — only execute it.
Liberating Structures for this situation:
Strategy Knotworking (SKW)
Strategy Knotworking turns "imposing change" into a process where the group works through six questions together — from purpose to concrete action — instead of just receiving the outcome.
Because every question gets answered using sticky notes and shared templates, everyone who has to carry the change actually weighs in on its final shape — not just the layer that designed it.
Integrated~Autonomy
Integrated~Autonomy deliberately looks for the balance between direction from the top and room to move at the bottom: the group first maps out activities where those two forces clash, then brainstorms separately about actions that centralize more and actions that give more local room.
A change that stays purely top-down never got that second half. This structure deliberately adds it, instead of choosing between imposing everything or letting go of everything.
No certification, no lengthy prep — read the steps and try it at your next meeting.
Keep exploring
Browse the full list of 43 structures, or get support if this situation is too complex to facilitate yourself.