The Art of Facilitation: The Essentials for Leading Great Meetings and Creating Group Synergy

by Dale Hunter

World renowned facilitation, group and meetings dynamics guru explains how to run great meetings. Dr Dale Hunter's classic guide includes all the latest findings and research on facilitation. Written by an international expert, it's the go-to sourcebook for people involved in human resources, management, mediation, team leadership, performance management and individual and team coaching. If you're someone who is responsible for effective group and inter-personal dynamics, this is the Bible. "Interpersonal dynamics can unravel the best of managerial intentions. Worse still, a little knowledge in untrained hands can lead to managers manufacturing consent and manipulating people to agree to management goals. Hunter’s book is a sobering reminder of how many managers, directors and business leaders are stumbling about in the dark with very few skills when it comes to unlocking individual and group potential. ... The Art of Facilitation will sit comfortably on the bookshelf of anyone wanting to learn more about harnessing group energy to attain a common goal." Ruth le Pla, Management Magazine, May 2007

Genres: Nonfiction, Leadership, Professional Development, Management, Education, Self Help, Business

354 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 21, 1995

Reviews

[Salpi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, I will try to be fair.

The initial 100 pages are complete BS. Facilitation/HR comms language is cringe & please do not try it with gen-z. Its ingenuine and everyone can feel it. Seriously, skill issue.

What I really liked was, there is a brief section in the book about ‘embodiment’. That being said, it is not very well described. I think the writer wanted to bring in some perspective on somatic axis of learning. This has quite a bit of neuroscientific basis but unfortunately the book covers it in a narrow perspective. Still, good that it was included.

The book doesn’t go too deep thus its redundant for mid/experienced facilitators. The methods list may be helpful for some.

The title sounds promising but the content does not live up to it :/

[Tena · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not finish. At first, it had potential, but the list of advice given is self-explanatory, redundant and obvious. Probably because I normally don't enjoy pop-psychology/self-help writing styles. It was lacking some real-life case studies. Shame, because I searched for something that could help me become a better scrum master.

[Gabriella Bugge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good guide for beginners with some good ideas for processes and consensus decision making. Very basic skills learning. For anyone who has been in or lead a meeting, may find the book repetitive and filled with "common sense."

[Ahmad A M · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book especially for those just starting on their facilitator journey. Authors provide quite a number of useful guides on processes and design frameworks.

[Fran Cormack · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little dated but still got some good advice and tips to improve your facilitation.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as helpful as I hoped it would be - more appropriate for personal development work than anti-bias anti-racism.