Hands-on: Workshops without resistance

A good workshop isn't made „on the spot”. 60% of success is in what you send 48h prior. SCARF tells you exactly what to include in the invite.

BEFORE: the invite and pre-read

• Certainty: detailed agenda with duration of each item, what decisions are made.
• Status: mention WHY you invited each person („I invite you for perspective X”).
• Autonomy: ask „can I help with prep?” before sending mandatory pre-read.
• Relatedness: if some don't know each other, write 2-line intros for each.
• Fairness: declare the meeting rules (how decisions are made, who moderates).

DURING: how you moderate

• Start with a short check-in: „how's everyone today?” — instant Relatedness.
• Reframe ad-hominem attacks into idea attacks. „Ana said nonsense” → „Ana proposes A. Who sees a downside to A?”.
• If someone's too quiet, ask them by name with an easy question („Mihai, from your X experience, how do you see this?”) — Status restored.
• Announce transitions: „now we move from discussion to decision. We have 10 min” — Certainty.

AFTER: notes and follow-up

• Notes within 24h. With structure: „decisions / actions / open questions”.
• Action assignments — clearly who, by when, how to confirm (Autonomy + Certainty).
• Specific recognition: „thanks Ana for the insight on X”. Status fed.