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Team Productivity · Google Slides

1-2-4-All (Online)

15 min6–30 peopleRemote · Hybrid · In-person

Get any group engaged about a topic and share their best ideas — all in just 15 minutes.

What is this workshop?

1-2-4-All is a Liberating Structure that prevents the loudest voices from dominating group discussions. Ideas develop in stages: alone first, then in pairs, then in groups of four, and finally with everyone. The result is more diverse input, more confidence to share, and better ideas — in 15 minutes. This is one of the most useful facilitation moves you can learn.

What's included

  • Timed facilitation slide deck
  • Breakout room instructions
  • Question prompt examples
  • Group sharing protocol

This is for you if…

  • Facilitators dealing with dominant voices in group discussions
  • Meeting leaders who want more diverse input from large groups
  • Anyone running brainstorms or problem-solving sessions

How to access this template

1Enter your email in the card — we'll send you the template link right away.
2Open the link and go to File → Make a copy → Entire presentation.
3Choose a destination folder in your Google Drive and click 'OK'.
4Your copy is ready — rename it and start editing.

How to run this workshop

1Make a copy of the Google Slides deck — go to File → Make a copy → Entire presentation.
2Open with a clear, single question for the group to reflect on.
3Give everyone 1 minute to think and write alone (Step 1: 1).
4Move into breakout rooms of two for 2 minutes to share and build on each other's ideas (Step 2: 2).
5Merge into groups of four for 4 minutes to synthesize the best ideas from both pairs (Step 3: 4).
6Each group of four shares one key insight with the full room (Step 4: All).

Tips for first-time facilitators

  • Write the question on the screen before starting the timer — people panic if they have to remember it.
  • Keep the 1-minute solo time strictly silent. Don't let people skip straight to pairs.
  • In the final 'All' round, ask each group for one insight, not everything — it prevents repetition.

Frequently asked questions

How do I copy this template?

Open the link, go to File → Make a copy → Entire presentation. Saves to Google Drive instantly.

What's a good question to use with 1-2-4-All?

Questions that don't have a single correct answer work best: 'What's one thing holding our team back?', 'What opportunity are we missing?', 'How might we improve onboarding?'

What if my group size isn't divisible by four?

Groups of 3 or 5 work fine in the last round. The structure is a guideline, not a rule — the key is the escalating group size, not the exact numbers.

Can I use this for in-person sessions?

Yes. In person, pairs and groups of four form naturally. The Slides work as a projector timer. The format is even more energetic in a physical space.

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