Thinking environment

The thinking environment is a philosophy of communication, based on the work of Nancy Kline.^[1][2] It is a practical series of values-based applications which are useful in family, campaigning, community and organisational^[3] life, as well as forming the basis of a teaching pedagogy^[4][5] and coaching approach. ^[6]

A thinking environment exists when the "ten components", or "principles", are held in place by a facilitator. The components are attention, appreciation, ease, encouragement, difference, information, feelings, equality, place and incisive questions.^[7]

With the components in place, the facilitator then chooses an "application" of the thinking environment, with the agreement of participants. These include a form of coaching (known as the “Thinking Partnership"), “Thinking Rounds", “Thinking Pairs", “Transforming Meetings", “Mentoring", “Time to Think Council", “Chairing”, "Dialogue", “Presenting” and “Open discussion".