Session 1: Dropping the Balloon

What is the ideal group size?

Technically two people is a group. But for there to be an effective group dynamic, in my experience, a group needs to be at least 8 people. Another significant factor for a facilitator is whether the group number is odd, in which case in those activities which involving pairs, the facilitator must stand in and participate.

The maximum group size can be 25 - 30 people but this depends very much on how much time you have for the sessions. Imagine doing the meeting ritual with 30 people if the sessions are 90 minutes long. It might take up the whole session!

What is the ideal session length?

Two hours is the ideal length, giving time for the dialogues to breathe and for the practices to settle. But realistically 90 minutes is more acceptable to most working situations.