The Role of Values in Collaborative Discussion

Choose this exercise

Purpose: Identify how underlying values inform statements, disagreements, and choices during group discussions.

Use it when: Use when a team or class needs to examine contentious topics constructively, or when preparing a group for policy or collaborative decision-making.

Skip it when: Skip during urgent tactical standups, crisis triage, or when participants lack safety to express personal viewpoints.

Group arrangement: Independent writing, pairs, small groups of 3 to 6 (split odd sizes into triads or quartets), and whole-group debrief

Timing: Source specifies 60 minutes across four steps: 10 min, 10 min, 30 min, and 10 min.

Materials and tools

• One printed worksheet or blank paper per person
• One pen or pencil per person
• One copy of the discussion scenario per small group (or displayed on a slide/shared document)
• Digital collaborative document or whiteboard with a two-column table for remote groups
• Timer for the facilitator

Before participants arrive

1. Arrange seating into small groups of 3 to 6 people.
2. Print worksheets or prepare the digital document with the writing prompts and the selected library scenario.

Say this to open

Today we will look at how personal values shape how we speak and listen. First, write down three values and what they mean to you. Next, share those in pairs without debate or judgment. Then we will discuss a scenario together to practice naming the values beneath different viewpoints.

How to run it

1. Draft individual value statements 10 minutes

   Say the opening script. Direct participants to work independently on paper or in personal notes. Ask everyone to write down three core values and turn each into a sentence using the format: 'I value [concept] because I believe [statement].' For example: 'I value personal responsibility because I believe I alone answer for my actions.' Anyone who prefers not to disclose personal history may choose professional or civic values. Give quiet writing time until the 10-minute mark.

2. Share in pairs without judgment 10 minutes

   Ask participants to pair up within their small groups (form one triad if numbers are odd). Partner A shares one or two value statements. Partner B asks clarifying questions only, such as 'Where does this value come from?' or 'Can you share a time you acted on it?' Partner B must not argue, evaluate, or give opinions. In triads, rotate every three minutes. In pairs, signal partners to swap roles at the 5-minute mark.

3. Discuss scenario and uncover underlying values 30 minutes

   Direct groups of 3 to 6 to the library budget scenario on their worksheet. For the first 10 minutes, the group discusses the scenario candidly, with each member taking a turn to respond. At the 10-minute mark, call time and instruct groups to halt the debate. For the remaining 20 minutes, groups stop trying to convince each other and list the core values driving each position, plus values that an unrepresented stakeholder might hold. Groups record these values on their worksheet or shared document.

4. Debrief as a full group 10 minutes

   Reconvene the full room. Call on 3 to 4 volunteers across different groups to answer one of the debrief questions. Focus strictly on how identifying underlying values changes the tone and outcome of disagreement.

Debrief questions

• How did shifting your focus from convincing others to naming values change the discussion?
• Which values appeared most frequently across your small group discussions, and which were less common?
• How might naming underlying values help resolve deadlocks when a group must make a joint decision?

Finished output: Written individual value statements and a completed small-group table of values mapped to competing scenario positions.

Remote

Use breakout rooms for small groups and pair shares. Share the worksheet text and scenario in a shared document. In Step 3, small groups record identified values in a two-column table labeled 'Perspective' and 'Underlying Value.' Bring all participants back to the main room for the final 10-minute debrief.

Hybrid

Equip in-person rooms with dedicated microphones and screens. Pair remote participants with remote partners and in-person with in-person to avoid audio feedback. Have all groups post their Step 3 value lists into a single shared online document so the whole room can view them during the debrief.

Access and participation choices

• Participants may select professional, civic, or abstract values rather than personal life values.
• Participants may pass during pair sharing or opt to listen without reading their written sentences aloud.
• Provide printed or digital copies of the scenario in advance for visual access.

If the session gets stuck

Participants start debating or critiquing each other during the pair share in Step 2.

Remind the room promptly that the partner role is strictly to ask clarifying questions about origins and examples, not to agree, disagree, or challenge.

Small groups continue arguing about the scenario in Step 3 instead of analyzing underlying values.

Call an audible pause at the 10-minute mark. Direct groups to put down solution arguments and record single value words tied to each perspective on their worksheet.

Terms used here

• Value Statement: A sentence stating a guiding priority and the reason behind it, formatted as 'I value X because I believe Y.'