Case Clinic

Principles 

• Be specific. The case should present a leadership challenge that is current and concrete. 
• Include a decision maker. The case giver needs to be a key decision maker in the case. 
• Reinforce peer relationships. The participants in the Case Clinics are peers, so there is no hierarchical relationship. 
• Practice listening. Coaches don’t give advice; instead they listen deeply. 

Process 

Setup 

• People: This process works best with a group of 4–5 peers. 
• Place: Select a quiet and private place, whether in person or online, for your process. 
• Time: 60-75 minutes. 
• Materials: Take notes in a journal and use a watch to keep time. 

Steps 

Step 1: Consider the roles (~2 mins.) 

• Case giver: Share a challenge that is current, concrete, and important, and in which you are a key player/decision maker. Include your personal learning threshold (what you need to let go of and learn). You should be able to present the case in 15 minutes. 
• Coaches: Do not try to “fix” the problem by offering advice; instead, listen deeply. Attend to the images, feelings, and gestures that the story evokes in you.
• Timekeeper: One of the coaches also manages the time.

Step 2: Intention statement by case giver (10-15 mins.) 

• Take a moment to reflect on your sense of calling. Then describe your case using the following questions as a guide: 
• 1. Current situation: What are the key challenges or questions? 
• 2. Stakeholders: How might others view this situation? 
• 3. Intention: What future are you trying to create? 
• 4. Learning threshold: What do you need to let go of, and what do you need to learn? 
• 5. Help: Where do you need input or help? 
• Coaches may ask clarifying questions if needed
  

Step 3: Stillness (~2 mins.) 

• Listen to your Open Mind: What images/metaphors arose? 
• Listen to your Open Heart: What emotions do you sense, and where are they in your body? 
• Listen to your Open Will: What gestures might represent the essence of what you are hearing?

Step 4: Mirroring (10 mins.) 

• Each coach shares what came up during the silence or while listening to the case.
• After listening to all the coaches, the case giver responds to what they said. 

Step 5: Generative dialogue (20 mins.) 

• Reflect together on the remarks of the case giver and move into a generative dialogue on how these observations can offer new perspectives on the case giver’s situation and journey. 
• Go with the flow of the dialogue. Build on each other’s ideas. Stay in service of the case giver without pressure to fix or resolve their challenge. 

Step 6: Closing remarks (8 mins.) 

• By coaches: Share a final reflection. 
• By case giver: How do I now see my situation and way forward?
• Acknowledgment: Share an expression of genuine appreciation to each other. 

Step 7: Individual journaling (2 mins.) 

• Write down what you learned.

Resources 

• Scharmer, Otto. 2007. Theory U, Second Edition, Chapter 2. Oakland, CA: Berrett-Koehler.