Fishbowl

A self-facilitating, inclusive discussion with a large group of people.

Table of contents

What is Fishbowl?

Fishbowl is a card from the Workshop Tactics deck by Pip Decks.

Fishbowl prevents the loudest voice in the room from dominating a discussion. It allows the entire group to participate and lessens distinctions between the speakers and the audience.

When to use Fishbowl

Dominance of a few voices in meetings
Need for inclusive decision-making
Desire to gather diverse perspectives
Facilitating large group discussions
Breaking down hierarchical barriers in communication
Encouraging participation from quieter team members

How to use Fishbowl

Arrange three chairs in the middle of a room.
Invite the group to fill the ‘audience’ seats, and have two people sit on two of the seats in the middle, leaving one empty. These two people will begin the discussion.
Agree on the topic of discussion. (You can use the second step of Democratic Discussion to find out what people want to discuss.)
Explain that anyone, at any point in time, can come and sit in the unoccupied chair in the middle and join the discussion.

Then explain that when this happens, someone who is already participating in the discussion must voluntarily leave the ‘fishbowl’, freeing up a chair.
Set a time limit for the topic and instruct the participants to begin the discussion.