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The Art of Convening: Authentic Engagement in Meetings, Gatherings, and Conversations
This book is about restoring wholeness to ourselves, our families, communities, and organizations by unleashing and igniting the brilliance and genius inherent whenever two or more are gathered. We are all born perfect and whole; now is our time to experience that in one another. Through the principles and practices of The Art of Convening (AoC) anyone can learn that “everyday communion” is not only possible, it is an imperative for the world to work for everyone. There are myriad titles on facilitating and hosting meeting methodologies, but none that prepares the individual with the skills and practices to handle the demands of being an inspired convener in a time when stakes have never been higher to make collective decisions that affect life on this planet. The work addresses the essential principles and practices for those “called” to convene and lead meetings and gatherings that produce transformational outcomes for the people in them and their organizations, communities and the world. The authors take the reader through nine critical steps that are part of three larger motives: 1. The convener engages with him or herself clarify the issues, intent, and how to extend the invitation. 2. The convener engages with participants to set context and receive all feedback and opinions 3. The participants engage with each other to create essential conversations and a commitment to action
- GenresNonfiction
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2011
40 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 20, 2013
“People in groups are still people.” Those six words represent a pretty decent condensation of this book.
No, wait: you’d also need to add, “…and our organization can do a better job of teaching you those six words than any other organization on earth, and we’ve asked all our favorite clients to share testimonials proving it to you.”
As other reviewers have noted, this book feels like a long-winded infomercial designed to attract clients to the authors’ consulting firm (or whatever it is—I glazed over every time they started up with the self-adulation), but to be fair, this doesn’t mean the authors don’t have good wisdom to share.
We’ve all been in “meetings” that pulled us away from productive work so we could watch someone read a memo (often optimistically distilled into bullet points to justify the purchase of that digital projector nobody quite knows how to set up right) they could have e-mailed to us. Or group “discussions” designed to provide a place for “yessers” to stretch their wings and affirm the party line, while dissenting voices are ignored or chastised. These are the kind of meetings Neal, Neal, and Wold want to abolish—and I’m with them in that. Identifying and clarifying the purpose of a meeting before calling it, respecting the views (and the time) of the people invited to join us, making sure that the meeting has real, positive effects on the lives of the people who've participated: these are all good things. And there’s certainly nothing wrong with identifying qualities of “good” meetings and developing a system that helps people plan them.
But establishing context for and describing the nine “aspects” of their “Convening Wheel” accounts for maybe 30 pages of the text. The other 162 pages are anecdotes, testimonials, and even “poems” (by which I mean those short introspective essays people write with odd capitalization and line breaks after every few words as a way of suggesting they’re being “deep”) from former clients of the authors’ firm. (These interstitials might be less annoying in the paper edition of the book, but in the Kindle edition they’re formatted exactly the same as other sections of the text, so that one has the awkward feeling of never quite knowing whose words one is reading.) There’s even a four-page glossary at the back of the book to tell you how the authors define (“as used in The Art of Convening”) a bunch of everyday words like authority, field, and even hold: an unapologetic appendix that suggests it’s completely normal to wait until after I’ve given you my attention for a couple hundred pages for you to tell me what you actually meant to say.
Give yourself permission to skip over everything in this book except the brief “Things to Remember” section that concludes each chapter, and you’ll find this a concise, helpful resource for reminding you of the kinds of things a good organizer considers as s/he’s planning a meeting, so that your attendees feel their time with you has been worth it.
If only the authors had extended the same courtesy to their readers while writing the book.
No, wait: you’d also need to add, “…and our organization can do a better job of teaching you those six words than any other organization on earth, and we’ve asked all our favorite clients to share testimonials proving it to you.”
As other reviewers have noted, this book feels like a long-winded infomercial designed to attract clients to the authors’ consulting firm (or whatever it is—I glazed over every time they started up with the self-adulation), but to be fair, this doesn’t mean the authors don’t have good wisdom to share.
We’ve all been in “meetings” that pulled us away from productive work so we could watch someone read a memo (often optimistically distilled into bullet points to justify the purchase of that digital projector nobody quite knows how to set up right) they could have e-mailed to us. Or group “discussions” designed to provide a place for “yessers” to stretch their wings and affirm the party line, while dissenting voices are ignored or chastised. These are the kind of meetings Neal, Neal, and Wold want to abolish—and I’m with them in that. Identifying and clarifying the purpose of a meeting before calling it, respecting the views (and the time) of the people invited to join us, making sure that the meeting has real, positive effects on the lives of the people who've participated: these are all good things. And there’s certainly nothing wrong with identifying qualities of “good” meetings and developing a system that helps people plan them.
But establishing context for and describing the nine “aspects” of their “Convening Wheel” accounts for maybe 30 pages of the text. The other 162 pages are anecdotes, testimonials, and even “poems” (by which I mean those short introspective essays people write with odd capitalization and line breaks after every few words as a way of suggesting they’re being “deep”) from former clients of the authors’ firm. (These interstitials might be less annoying in the paper edition of the book, but in the Kindle edition they’re formatted exactly the same as other sections of the text, so that one has the awkward feeling of never quite knowing whose words one is reading.) There’s even a four-page glossary at the back of the book to tell you how the authors define (“as used in The Art of Convening”) a bunch of everyday words like authority, field, and even hold: an unapologetic appendix that suggests it’s completely normal to wait until after I’ve given you my attention for a couple hundred pages for you to tell me what you actually meant to say.
Give yourself permission to skip over everything in this book except the brief “Things to Remember” section that concludes each chapter, and you’ll find this a concise, helpful resource for reminding you of the kinds of things a good organizer considers as s/he’s planning a meeting, so that your attendees feel their time with you has been worth it.
If only the authors had extended the same courtesy to their readers while writing the book.
April 16, 2012
Unreadable--like a really long infomercial. I felt like it would never get to the promised point, and I finally gave up.
September 12, 2015
The Art of Convening: Authentic Engagement in Meetings, Gatherings, and Conversations by Craig and Patricia Neal with Cynthia Wold is a book on the art of gathering people for the sake of authentic engagement. As with the way of circle, convening has ancient roots. People have always gathered and naturally related to each other. Convening is really an art of relationship. Authentic relations are relations where we express what is true for us, and listen to what is true for others. The authors believe that meaningful connection and engagement are not only possible, but also imperative for obtaining sustainable satisfying results.
The role of the convener is to gather and hold people in a safe and generative space, which enables essential conversations, emergence of new outcomes, and a true desire for action. The convening wheel in the book visualizes the path of convening as a whole. Its circular forms guides the convener's way of being and doing. It's worth emphasizing the the convening wheel is flexible. The path of convening isn't rigid or static any more than our relationships. The parts of the convening wheel are called aspects. The aspects build on each other, but it is possible to correct the course at any juncture along the convening path. Each aspect is examined in detail in the book. Here is a short summary:
At the Heart of the Matter. Knowing who I am allows me to be in authentic engagement with others. It is a big subject and a life-long journey to increase our own clarity, confidence, and sense of belonging so that we may hold others in a safe generative container. Unless we reflect on who we are, we don't give others something real to connect to.
Clarifying Intent. Our fully embraced intention feeds our power to actualize it. To clarify intent, we need to identify those motives or desires that might distract us from what is primary. The tendency for many of us is to move too quickly from the heart to the head and then to the outcome. If we are to maximize the depth and effectiveness of our gatherings, we need the patience to hold off the impulse to move too quickly.
The Invitation. The essential and often overlooked quality needed to make an invitation effective is sincerity. When our invitations are made wholeheartedly, all manner of possibilities open to the gathering. The combination of sincerity, hospitality, and generosity is a strong attractor for full presence.
Setting Context. People want to know how they fit into the context. It is risky to assume that purpose and meaning of the gathering have been fully understood by everyone in advance. The convener needs to restate the purpose and intent of the gathering as articulated in the invitation. The participants need to understand what the gathering is for and about. They can then choose to place themselves in the best state of mind, heart, and being to engage in this context.
Creating the Container. This is about providing an environment for the gathering that is enlivened, has boundaries, and is safe. It is important to prepare both an outer and inner container for the gathering. The outer, physical, container reminds us of our aliveness and encourages connection. The inner, energetic, container provides safety so that those within may freely express themselves. Safety is achieved by having strong boundaries, that is clear protocols and agreements for the gathering.
Hearing All the Voices. Each voice is needed and wanted. When all voices are heard, everyone sees and is seen by one another. Our spirits expand when we are received with interested, non-judging listening. The more we are tuned to each other, the more we are able to serve the purpose of the gathering. A more whole picture begins to emerge. People become an integral part of the group and have a stake in a successful outcome. All are in this together.
Essential Conversation. Introducing thoughtfulness and meaning into what we say and how we hear each other enables essential conversation. This is the time to open the floor for reflections and comments. Splitting the group into smaller groups of 3-5 people encourage deep listening and sharing. Being with the heart of the matter evokes the wisdom of the participants. When people sense their interdependency, they see that their future is tied together and begin to function as a unified "living system".
Creation. When we are listened to, it creates us, makes us unfold and expand. Something new emerges when people bring their full unique presence, sharing purpose and trust. If we have done our work well, the group will almost take care of itself. The convener needs to hold the container, honoring the individuals in relationship with one another, so the new that emerges is consistent with the group's purpose and intent.
Commitment to Action. Without commitment, the creation that has emerged may be lost. We have spent our time together for a purpose, so desire for action is a natural driving force now. Purposeful action is embedded in the group and in seeing a shared future that all can agree upon. More than an item on a to do list, the action can be a decision or a determined stake in the ground. If true commitment is to come forth, the participants will hold themselves accountable. This kind of commitment cannot be achieved by coercion or manipulation.
Learning the art of convening is like learning how to drive—practice strengthen habit. This book is a great guide. There are in depth discussions exploring challenges and situations the authors have come across over the years. If you are serious about making a difference in the lives of those you gather, then I would definitely recommend this book.
The role of the convener is to gather and hold people in a safe and generative space, which enables essential conversations, emergence of new outcomes, and a true desire for action. The convening wheel in the book visualizes the path of convening as a whole. Its circular forms guides the convener's way of being and doing. It's worth emphasizing the the convening wheel is flexible. The path of convening isn't rigid or static any more than our relationships. The parts of the convening wheel are called aspects. The aspects build on each other, but it is possible to correct the course at any juncture along the convening path. Each aspect is examined in detail in the book. Here is a short summary:
At the Heart of the Matter. Knowing who I am allows me to be in authentic engagement with others. It is a big subject and a life-long journey to increase our own clarity, confidence, and sense of belonging so that we may hold others in a safe generative container. Unless we reflect on who we are, we don't give others something real to connect to.
Clarifying Intent. Our fully embraced intention feeds our power to actualize it. To clarify intent, we need to identify those motives or desires that might distract us from what is primary. The tendency for many of us is to move too quickly from the heart to the head and then to the outcome. If we are to maximize the depth and effectiveness of our gatherings, we need the patience to hold off the impulse to move too quickly.
The Invitation. The essential and often overlooked quality needed to make an invitation effective is sincerity. When our invitations are made wholeheartedly, all manner of possibilities open to the gathering. The combination of sincerity, hospitality, and generosity is a strong attractor for full presence.
Setting Context. People want to know how they fit into the context. It is risky to assume that purpose and meaning of the gathering have been fully understood by everyone in advance. The convener needs to restate the purpose and intent of the gathering as articulated in the invitation. The participants need to understand what the gathering is for and about. They can then choose to place themselves in the best state of mind, heart, and being to engage in this context.
Creating the Container. This is about providing an environment for the gathering that is enlivened, has boundaries, and is safe. It is important to prepare both an outer and inner container for the gathering. The outer, physical, container reminds us of our aliveness and encourages connection. The inner, energetic, container provides safety so that those within may freely express themselves. Safety is achieved by having strong boundaries, that is clear protocols and agreements for the gathering.
Hearing All the Voices. Each voice is needed and wanted. When all voices are heard, everyone sees and is seen by one another. Our spirits expand when we are received with interested, non-judging listening. The more we are tuned to each other, the more we are able to serve the purpose of the gathering. A more whole picture begins to emerge. People become an integral part of the group and have a stake in a successful outcome. All are in this together.
Essential Conversation. Introducing thoughtfulness and meaning into what we say and how we hear each other enables essential conversation. This is the time to open the floor for reflections and comments. Splitting the group into smaller groups of 3-5 people encourage deep listening and sharing. Being with the heart of the matter evokes the wisdom of the participants. When people sense their interdependency, they see that their future is tied together and begin to function as a unified "living system".
Creation. When we are listened to, it creates us, makes us unfold and expand. Something new emerges when people bring their full unique presence, sharing purpose and trust. If we have done our work well, the group will almost take care of itself. The convener needs to hold the container, honoring the individuals in relationship with one another, so the new that emerges is consistent with the group's purpose and intent.
Commitment to Action. Without commitment, the creation that has emerged may be lost. We have spent our time together for a purpose, so desire for action is a natural driving force now. Purposeful action is embedded in the group and in seeing a shared future that all can agree upon. More than an item on a to do list, the action can be a decision or a determined stake in the ground. If true commitment is to come forth, the participants will hold themselves accountable. This kind of commitment cannot be achieved by coercion or manipulation.
Learning the art of convening is like learning how to drive—practice strengthen habit. This book is a great guide. There are in depth discussions exploring challenges and situations the authors have come across over the years. If you are serious about making a difference in the lives of those you gather, then I would definitely recommend this book.
January 5, 2013
Oh, God. Hippies in the business world. Not necessarily a bad thing, but in this book it's all been taken way too far.
There's so much talk about "aspects," "heart," "who am I," and all that sort of thing. At root, these could be good ideas. But all the authors do is bandy about all these vague hippie phrases. The longer sections mostly just have more of them. There's almost no getting down to brass tacks about what is really being talked about, making these concepts concrete. Okay, they are very broad concepts, but concretization could still be done far better than it's done here. There also isn't much balance, in the writing, of covering both all this "let's talk about feelings" stuff, and the practical work that needs to get done in most meetings.
There's so much talk about "aspects," "heart," "who am I," and all that sort of thing. At root, these could be good ideas. But all the authors do is bandy about all these vague hippie phrases. The longer sections mostly just have more of them. There's almost no getting down to brass tacks about what is really being talked about, making these concepts concrete. Okay, they are very broad concepts, but concretization could still be done far better than it's done here. There also isn't much balance, in the writing, of covering both all this "let's talk about feelings" stuff, and the practical work that needs to get done in most meetings.
April 16, 2014
Disappointing. While I definitely have some tree hunger tendencies, this book was a tad too much "hippy dippy" for me. Amazon has it categorized with other meeting planning books, and it really does not belong there. It is more about communication techniques, and will not work in most conference/meeting/business settings. For the right audience it might be a good book, but it is being marketed incorrectly. I could not get through it, there was not enough substance for me to invest the time.
April 22, 2017
Loved this approach to managing meetings! Used it to convene three meetings of a task force studying the way we do storytime at IndyPL.
November 2, 2011
mOSTLRY READ. tHIS WILL BE A BOOK THAT i REFERENCE OFTEN. iT'S FULL OF GOOD IDEAS AND GOOD TECHNIQUES FOR BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER IN A PRODUCTIVE WAY.
July 21, 2014
Dumb. Reads like an infomercial for the author's company with the requisite unbelievable testimonials. Don't waste your time.
February 14, 2020
Very “woo woo” - best described as meeting therapy. It describes how to prepare yourself, your invitees, and the environmental for authentic and respectful interaction. I wanted to hate this book for being too woo woo but as I continued to read, I see how the “Convening Wheel” brings an environment of intention and respect. Definite food for thought here.
October 6, 2021
This book is a classic. It has been translated into a few languages, and I predict it will be translated into many more. The approach and philosophy of how to meaningfully bring people together and arrive at "the heart of the matter" emanates from centuries-old wisdom and practices. Layered onto the recipe are the deep experiences and know-how of three masterful contemporary conveners.
August 23, 2024
This book shared a process and philosophy of conversation similar to TOP work. I really appreciated the framing of the challenge at each step of the model and then a living principle. Sparked to research more of the training.
May 20, 2020
Terrible.
April 13, 2021
Useless book. Use for bonfires. This book is a waste of time.
December 13, 2016
This husband-and-wife offer lots of practical advice for preparing for and leading meetings.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews