Talking with Pixies

Structural Elements — Min Specs

1. Structuring Invitation

   "You are invited to explore a crossroads you face now and consider competing commitments that limit progress or immobilize change. We are going to assemble a team of pixies, or voices on your shoulder, to help you."

2. Space and Materials

   Groups of four chairs [breakouts of four]. Display the Steps and Interviewer questions [in the chat or on a slide]. Interviewer questions: (1) Why is the goal important to you? Why are you bothering? How will others around you benefit? (2) What actions have you taken to advance AND undermine progress toward the goal? Dig for tangible examples and stories, not concepts. (3) Give more attention to an action or behavior that undermines. Why were you attracted to the actions that undermine? Why… Why… (4) What will happen if you stop the behaviors that advance your goal? What might people say about you? What will happen to those around you? (5) What will happen if you stop the behaviors that undermine your goal? What might people say about you? What will happen to those around you?

3. Participation Distribution

   Roles include host [tech host], listener, interviewer, innovator pixie, and protector pixie. Minimum group size is four. Each person gets the chance to experience each role.

4. Group Configuration

   Alone, quartets, whole group.

5. Steps and Time Allocation

   • Intro: Share the structuring invitation. (1 min.)
   • Individual Reflection: Participants think of a current challenge that makes them feel stuck or unsure how to proceed. This is their "crossroads." Next, they think of a related goal—what they truly desire at this crossroads—that feels important but hard to reach. (2 min.)
   • Demonstration: Invite a volunteer who is willing to share their crossroads and three others to the front of the room [spotlight the volunteers]. The first volunteer is the "listener," and the other three are the "interviewer," the "innovator pixie," and the "protector pixie." The interviewer sits across from the listener, and the pixies sit on either side of the listener [lean into the camera]. Define the roles: Listener Role — close your eyes and listen empathetically as your inner "pixies" chatter without you responding. Interviewer Role — gently draw out the listener's details and emotions, keep the group on schedule, redirect the pixies if needed, and pause if the listener becomes uncomfortable. Pixies Roles — listen for the listener's competing commitments and assumptions, then chatter empathetically from their perspective. The innovator pixie enthusiastically highlights the potential benefits of embracing change and letting go of outdated commitments. The protector pixie emphasizes the risks of change and advantages of sticking with current commitments. Have the volunteers briefly demonstrate the steps, giving instructions before each step. Thank them and send them back to their seats [end spotlight]. (6 min.)
   • Form Groups and Select Roles: Display the interviewer questions [paste questions in the chat]. Participants form quartets [breakouts] and choose roles. [All roles keep cameras on.]
   • Sharing Crossroads: Small groups repeat the following steps for each person who wants to be a listener (15–20 min. per round). The listener describes their challenge and goal. (3 min.)
   • Interview: The interviewer asks the interview questions. The pixies listen and take notes. (4 min.)
   • Pixie Whispers: The listener closes their eyes while the two pixies sit close to the listener's ears, lean in, and simultaneously whisper their perspectives. (1–2 min.)
   • Pixie Insights: The listener opens their eyes. Each pixie takes two minutes to share their perspective in a clearer, less chaotic way. (4 min.)
   • Small-Group Reflection: The group briefly shares thoughts and feelings about the experience. (3 min.)
   • All-Together Sharing: Everyone returns to plenary to discuss the overall experience. What did they learn about competing commitments? How did the pixies' chatter impact their personal perspectives? A few people share reflections everyone should hear [aloud or in the chat]. (4 min.)