The Roundtable
Insights, ideas, and vulnerability through conversation
👋 Hi there, welcome to The Learning Dispatch! Twice a month, we explore creative formats applicable in the world of learning. Created by TeamLogiQ.
- Complete this sentence: ‘I act because…’
- I love it so much. I don’t know what else to do.
- I act because if you did what we do anywhere other than a place where they pay you to do it, they’d arrest you.
- Because I can do nothing else.
- I act because I’m broken in a lot of pieces and acting gives me a chance to reconfigure those pieces into a thousand different things that are positive for people to watch…
The first answer was from Henry Winkler, the second by Don Cheadle, the third was Sacha Baron Cohen and the fourth Jim Carrey. This dialogue was part of the initial three minutes of a Roundtable conversation by The Hollywood Reporter. Today, we’re exploring this format to uncover what makes it so impactful.
📰 What’s the format?
A Roundtable. A form of discussion where participants sit around a circular table, ensuring that everyone has an equal view and opportunity to participate. This format encourages open dialogue, collaborative problem-solving, and equal participation from all members.
One of the earliest and most famous examples of a roundtable comes from Arthurian legend. King Arthur's Round Table was a symbol of equality, where all knights had equal status and a voice.
In this edition, we’re deconstructing a more contemporary example: a comedy actors roundtable that I think is gold. Let’s explore why…
🎛️ What are the features?
First, let’s quickly explore some of the features of this format.
Now, let’s see that in action…
1. Equal Participation
The Hollywood Reporter’s moderator, Lacey Rose, did a great job ensuring all voices were included in the conversation. Keep in mind she has six big personalities sitting at this table! Her timely interjections prevent long monologues and keep the conversation open. For example, she often asked:
“What about you, Ted?”
“What about for the rest of you guys?”
2. Facilitation
The quality of the questions is excellent. Rose blends deep, serious questions with lighter ones, creating an authentic rhythm.
"What do you guys wish you knew about navigating fame and success when you first were starting out?"
"If you had anonymity for a day, what would you do?"
"A lot of you have played indelible roles. What’s it like to move on?"
"When was the last time you were genuinely nervous to tell a story?"
To that last question Jim Carrey responded, "I’ve only ever been disappointed when I wasn’t authentic…" Great questions elicit great answers.
Follow-up questions are equally important. This is where you can really get the most out of the interaction. Here are a couple of examples:
- Henry Winkler: "I wish I knew how to not worry as much. To navigate to where I wanted to go, where I dreamt of going without eating myself alive from the inside…”
- Lacey Rose: “What were you worried about?"
- Henry Winkler: "I was worried about everything, about not losing it, about not getting it, about not being good enough…”
Here’s another one:
- Jim Carrey: "In order to go forward, I have to let go of what this creation is."
- Lacey Rose: "How do you do that?"
Lastly, the best facilitators know when to step back. At some point during the roundtable, the actors start asking the questions. It’s a delicate balance between ensuring the conversation stays focused and productive while allowing participants to take the lead.
3. Diverse Perspectives
The range of experiences, focus areas, backgrounds, and even ages is quite diverse in this roundtable. This uneven combination gives space to unexpected results. For instance, Sacha Baron Cohen shares a story about visiting Jim Carrey’s house, which meant a lot to a guy from a London suburb. Jim Carrey then responds:
“I had two choices with you: admiration or jealousy. And I chose admiration.”
Earlier, I mentioned Jim Carrey’s vulnerable answer: “I act because I’m broken in a lot of pieces and acting gives me a chance to reconfigure those pieces into a thousand different things that are positive for people to watch…” Diverse perspectives matter because they can produce moments like this, which set the tone for the whole conversation.
4. Structured but Flexible
Structure matters, but you have to leave space for flexibility (which can sometimes look or feel a bit messy). The Hollywood Reporter’s Roundtable does an excellent job with audio editing, but if you listen closely, you’ll notice that sometimes actors speak at the same time, or a question is asked while someone else is talking... And that’s okay. That’s how human conversations work. If you don’t have that mess, you can’t have the magic.
💡 Why is it effective for learning?
Promotes Active Learning:
Roundtable discussions require learners to actively participate, engage with the material, and think critically. This active involvement helps deepen their understanding of the subject matter.
Encourages Critical Thinking:
By discussing different viewpoints and challenging each other’s ideas, learners develop their critical thinking and analytical skills. Also, engaging in discussions that require analysis, synthesis, and evaluation helps learners develop higher-order thinking skills.
Fosters Collaborative Learning:
Roundtables create a collaborative learning environment where you can learn from each other in unexpected ways.
Enhances Communication Skills:
Learners have the opportunity to articulate their thoughts, listen to others, and refine their communication skills in a supportive setting.
Builds Confidence:
Regularly participating in roundtable discussions can help learners build confidence in their abilities to express their ideas and defend their viewpoints.
Encourages Diverse Perspectives:
Exposure to a variety of perspectives broadens learners' understanding and appreciation of different viewpoints, cultures, and ideas.
💌 An Invitation
Here’s an invitation to have your own roundtable conversation. It could be with your students, your online community, or even your group of friends. To get started:
Choose a Topic: Select a theme that resonates with your group.
Invite Participants: Ensure a diverse mix of voices.
Prepare Questions: Craft a blend of deep and light-hearted questions.
Facilitate: Guide the discussion, but allow for organic flow.
Reflect: After the discussion, reflect on the insights gained.
🏷 Summary
Roundtable discussions foster equal participation, active learning, and critical thinking.
They enhance communication skills, build confidence, and encourage diverse perspectives.
Organizing your own roundtable can create meaningful and engaging discussions in any setting.
📚 Further Readings
Find all THR Roundtable Interviews here
Dirt published this roundtable on an age-old question: Music vs. Lyrics (and a third factor we might need to consider…) Read it here.
We value your feedback (suggestions, critiques, positive reinforcement, constructive ideas…) as well as your tips or suggestions for future editions. We’d love to hear about you in the comments.
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