The right people aren't in the room — and the session is being asked to settle something they can't decide.
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.
For example: The session is supposed to prepare a decision that actually requires sign-off from an external partner. That partner wasn't invited — the people in the room can think it through together, but can't effectively decide.
Liberating Structures for this situation:
Social Network Webbing
Social Network Webbing doesn't replace the missing mandate — that decision isn't one the session itself can make. What the structure does well: participants map out together who plays what role, from the core circle to the periphery, and explicitly mark who's still missing.
That honestly shifts the session's goal: not forcing a decision without a mandate, but pinning down exactly who needs to be at the table next time.
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.