Creating that sense of safety and trust can be more challenging as many will elect to defer to those with more “wisdom,” “expertise,” “gift of gab.” I suggest you take a little time sharing information about each other, kind of like ice breakers. Suggestions are things like – favorite thing to do in your spare time, music you listen to, little known fact about yourself, vacation of your dreams. When we know a little more about each other we can get a better handle on the how we “fit in.” Try to avoid identifiers that make someone the expert as that will shut people up not invite real sharing.

I agree that small group conversations are best. Do you have ideas on how to inject that element?

Good luck in your project. I enjoy the posts so keep writing about it.

Gail P