The divergence phase is akin to the inhale of a breath. It is about opening up to new ideas and conversations. At this point, the group is following a specific goal and is undergoing a shared process/experience. Divergence is about getting as much information about the situation (about the question or purpose) as you possibly can. It’s about having lots of conversations, entertaining myriad perspectives, encouraging diverging opinions and multiple alternatives to the frame. It is a non-linear process, and it takes time. In the divergent phase, you may have to remind participants not to jump to solutions, but to slow down in order to be able to move quickly when the time comes. Often, the quality of the time participants spend in this process will indicate the quality of the outcome (i.e. if participants rush through this phase and don’t allow for all voices and perspectives to be heard, then the outcome can be fairly predictable, not very innovative, and only work for a certain segment of the group. However, by spending quality time in this phase, hearing all perspectives, then the potential for the outcome to be innovative, transformative and work for everyone is greatly increased).