All told, the experience ranks somewhere near our mating rituals in terms of emotional charge. The baby, of course, is your story or a chapter from your novel. The players include your fellow writers and, perhaps, a workshop leader who is quite possibly a published writer of some renown. The rules are that you read each other's material, probably in advance of the meeting, and take turns offering your considered critiques. No doubt the model has been in existence for centuries, its only modern refinements having to do with word-processing and cheap photocopying.
Workshops come with sterling virtues and yawning pitfalls.
On the positive side, they create their own social milieu, a chance to exchange book reviews, speculations, resources, sympathies, war stories, and insights into life's mysteries. The leader, if properly qualified, can inject a charismatic charge into the proceedings, offer seasoned insights, and maintain some sense of organization. He or she may also have market advice and a few good personal contacts in the industry. Maybe that's the essential lesson of the experience. But consider the dark side.