# Network Patches Small peer groups select a discussion guide and a knowledge weaver, review a current work question, and record agreed connections and next steps. The team sets a date for their next recurring check-in. **Time:** 25 minutes. 25 minutes covers a single standalone meeting cycle. The source program repeats over multiple weeks. **People:** 3 to 25. Small peer groups of 3 to 5 participants. ## Choose this exercise **Purpose:** Run a structured peer consultation session and capture agreed connections between member ideas on a shared notes sheet. **Use it when:** Use when launching recurring peer problem-solving groups across functional areas or project teams. **Skip it when:** Skip for one-time social mixers or crisis meetings that require immediate executive decisions. ## Materials and tools - One printed Patch Meeting Worksheet per group of 3 to 5 - One pen or digital note-taking device per group - One timer for the room ## Before participants arrive 1. Divide chairs into small circles of 3 to 5 seats. 2. Place one Patch Meeting Worksheet and pen at each table or seating circle. ## Say this to open Welcome. Today we run a Network Patch meeting. A patch is a small peer circle where colleagues bring real workplace challenges, listen, and offer practical ideas. In your group, you will name a discussion guide to manage turns and a knowledge weaver to record agreed connections on your worksheet. Then you will examine one real question from a member and plan when to repeat this. ## How to run it ### 1. Set roles and name the patch (4 minutes) Assemble in groups of 3 to 5. Pick a themed patch name, such as a constellation or element. Choose two volunteers: a discussion guide to track time and turns, and a knowledge weaver to write on the worksheet. The guide and weaver will rotate to new volunteers in future meetings. Write the patch name and member names on the worksheet. ### 2. Surface work questions (4 minutes) Each person has up to 1 minute to state one current work challenge or question they want peer perspective on. Participants may pass if they prefer to listen. For example, someone might ask how to gather user feedback without slowing a delivery schedule. The group selects one question to explore today and the knowledge weaver writes it down. ### 3. Offer practical connections (10 minutes) The person whose question was chosen takes 2 minutes to explain context. Peers ask brief clarifying questions. For the remaining time, peers offer relevant experiences, contacts, or concrete next steps. The knowledge weaver records ideas the group agrees are practical. The question owner chooses which ideas to try, or may decline all suggestions. ### 4. Verify notes and schedule return (4 minutes) The knowledge weaver reads the recorded points aloud to the group. Group members confirm what stays and remove anything personal or sensitive. The group agrees on optional next actions and sets a date, time, and rotating lead for their next meeting. The knowledge weaver records these details on the worksheet. ### 5. Debrief (3 minutes) Call the full room together. Hear brief reflections from two groups on how designating a knowledge weaver affected the focus of their conversation. Collect worksheets or confirm digital saves. ## Debrief questions - How did separating the roles of discussion guide and knowledge weaver change how you listened? - Which recorded insight or connection will be most useful to test before your next meeting? **Finished output:** A completed Patch Meeting Worksheet per group detailing the chosen question, agreed ideas, confirmed next steps, and a date for the next meeting. ## Remote Form breakout rooms of 3 to 5 people. Provide each breakout group a link to an online version of the Patch Meeting Worksheet. The knowledge weaver shares their screen while verifying notes in step 4. ## Hybrid Keep co-located people together at room tables and virtual attendees in dedicated breakout rooms. Provide digital worksheets to all groups so remote and in-person participants work in the same format. ## Access and participation choices - Participants may pass during the question round and choose to contribute purely as listeners or idea contributors. - Groups may record notes in bullet points, audio transcripts, or digital mind maps. - Any participant may remove their personal remarks from the sheet before final submission. ## If the session gets stuck **No one volunteers a workplace question to explore.** Provide a default question: How do we share updates with partner teams without adding extra meetings? **Peers debate advice instead of offering practical options.** Remind the discussion guide that suggestions are optional gifts; the question owner decides what to accept without defending their choices. ## Terms used here - Knowledge Weaver: The group participant who writes down agreed connections, practical ideas, and commitments during the session. - Network Patch: A recurring small peer circle designed to solve workplace problems through shared experience. ## Participant material: Patch Meeting Worksheet PATCH MEETING WORKSHEET Patch Name: _________________________________ Date: ________________________ Discussion Guide: _____________________________ Knowledge Weaver: ____________________________ Participants: ________________________________ 1. Question Selected for Today: _________________________________________________________________ 2. Practical Insights and Connections: - - - 3. Action Steps and Optional Owners: - Action: _______________________ Owner: ____________ Deadline: _____ - Action: _______________________ Owner: ____________ Deadline: _____ 4. Permissions and Review: Read notes back to the group. Cross out any items members wish to keep off the public record. Approved by group? [ ] Yes [ ] Notes amended 5. Next Patch Meeting: Proposed Date and Time: ______________________ Next Discussion Guide: ______________________ Next Knowledge Weaver: ______________________ ## Sources and adaptation Observed in Relationship Makers Handbook, pages 269-270, with meeting mechanics adapted from UWT peer group session protocols. Retained the core concept of small peer cohorts (patches), themed cohort naming, ongoing cadence, and the designated roles of facilitator (discussion guide) and knowledge weaver from Relationship Makers Handbook. Defined knowledge weaving plainly as documenting agreed connections between ideas. Added the structured 25-minute consultation agenda, role-rotation rules, explicit debrief, and reproducible worksheet based on UWT peer group guidelines. Avoided unsupported claims regarding performance percentages or behavioral prediction. Current run sheet: https://unitedwetransform.com/exercises/network-patches/