Patterns & Metaphors
Structure-oriented participant type
Template:
Conference participants who feel that valuable work is done, when time, space and relationships are clearly structured. Prefers procedures and clear agendas. Mistrusts and is frustrated by unstructured, dis-ordered, and spontaneous forms of interchange. Tends to favour the standard structure of lecture presentation and small group-workshops.
[Advantages] Prepared to trust procedures structured by the organizers and to get on and work through them as productively as possible. This allow a greater focus on the aims of the conference and less distracting questioning of the structure itself. A useful balance to processists who are threatened by and question all structural guidelines.
[Disadvantages] Unquestioning acceptance of the structures can lead to constraints on creativity and to a sterile conference. Unwillingness to be exposed to new and unexpected forms of inter-change reflects an unwillingness to risk unexpected directions of change.
