Liberating Structures

Liberating Structures (LS) are simple patterns that make it possible for individuals and groups to work together brilliantly. With a menu of 43+ open-source patterns, LS shift how people meet, plan, decide, and relate to one another, making it possible to include and engage many voices in shaping next steps and the future. LS Their minimal set of structural constraints to set groups free from conventional patterns that exclude, stifle, and over-control (like endless presentations, managed discussions, or unfocused brainstorming).

Groups consistently report that LS sessions feel different: more energized, more surprising, and more productive than expected.

“It can feel like magic when people bring their best to solving challenges and reveal aspects of themselves that colleagues have never seen before. But it’s not magic — it’s the intentional outcome of structured interactions that deepen connection, increase clarity, and generate new options.”
— Keith McCandless and Nancy White

LS Across the Globe

The growth of LS has been fueled by practitioners. Much like a self-organizing ecological system, LS has expanded through peer-to-peer learning, across boundaries and languages, driven by those putting the work into practice in their own domains. This spread mimics the underlying patterns of complex adaptive systems, where small, local actions lead to global shifts.

The LS community translated the foundational book, developed the mobile app, and creates vibrant spaces for mutual support.

By the Numbers:

Guiding Principles

LS are rooted in guiding principles.  All too often, there is a gap between what we say is important (our values or principles) and what we do (our everyday routines). This is where LS come in, providing a menu of practices to bridge the gap between purpose and practice.

Learn more about the LS Principles