What Does This Make Possible?
In Troika Consulting, participants ask for help and get advice from two others in three rounds of "consultations." This peer-to-peer coaching helps people gain insight into issues they face, spot biases, and tap local wisdom, embodying LS Principle #3, Build Trust as You Go. It can be used to discover everyday solutions and refine prototypes. This is a simple and effective way to extend support beyond formal relationships.
Structural Elements — Min Specs
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Structuring Invitation
"Often we feel like we're facing our challenges alone. Let's experience the power of sharing them with others."
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Space and Materials
Small groups of three chairs and no tables [breakouts of three].
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Participation Distribution
Roles include host [tech host] and, in each group, a client and two consultants. Roles change each round. Minimum group size is three. Everyone is invited and has an equal opportunity to receive and give coaching.
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Group Configuration
Trios, whole group
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Steps and Time Allocation
- Intro: Share the structuring invitation and have participants reflect on two questions: What is your challenge? What next steps do you have in mind and what kind of help do you need? (1 min.)
- Present Your Challenge: Participants form trios [breakouts]. One participant, the "client," shares their challenge and the next steps they're considering. (1–2 min.)
- Clarifying Questions: The other two participants, the "consultants," ask questions to understand the challenge better. They do not judge or offer solutions. (1–2 min.)
- Consultation/Silent Listening: The client turns away [turns off their video and mutes their mic] and listens silently while the consultants discuss their ideas. (4–5 min.)
- Key Takeaways: The client turns back around [turns on camera and mic] and shares what they found most valuable. (1–2 min.)
- Rounds 2 and 3: The group repeats these steps so each person gets to be a client. (7–10 min. per round)
- All-Together Sharing: Everyone returns to plenary. A few people share their experiences. (2 min.)
Tips & Pitfalls
- Show "back turning" with a quick demo and assure participants it is not rude.
- Encourage participants to form diverse groups so they can hear different perspectives on their challenge.
- If participants struggle or coaching doesn't help the client make progress, do a second round with a new challenge.
Riffs & Variations
- Meet with 15% Solutions: Have each client share a 15% Solution to ask for coaching.
- Restrict consultants to asking only questions (called Q-storming), or reduce the time for each step in a Speed Troika.
Practical Applications
- Troika Consulting can be used at the start of a meeting to give and get help on important work, as a way for a project manager to get updates, or to build a culture of peer-to-peer learning in a classroom.
Online & Hybrid Facilitation
Troika works well online when clients turn off their camera and mic to simulate turning their back on the consultants.
Combine with Other Structures
Sources & License
Liberating Structure developed by Henri Lipmanowicz and Keith McCandless.
Based on the work of Keith McCandless and Nancy White, The Liberating Structures Fieldbook (2026), CC BY-SA 4.0.
