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Seminars, workshops and conferences often have 'keynote speakers' to provide inspiration and insight for participants. A keynote speaker is an expert that delivers the most important speech at an event because they have high level domain knowledge.

Building on this, a keynote listener is someone with expertise in the topic area who listens to proceedings throughout an event to uncover common themes, as well as highlighting points of disagreement that may be emerging. It is critically important that agreement is not forced, and trying to do so may reduce the range of views that can be surfaced.

A keynote listener stands outside of particular interactions and can bring fresh insights, and contribute to pulling together and synthesising what they have heard. This work is underpinned by appreciative inquiry. That is, a way of working that focuses on what is working well, that also builds on imagining what can be built collectively for the future.

Either during, or at the close of, the meeting the keynote listener brings together a summary of themes spoken about in the formal and informal sessions. While everyone listens at an event, having a person dedicated to this task increases the quality of reflection.

If you think this might be something of interest to you please be in touch to discuss your needs.