The Art of Focused Conversation, Second Edition
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The Art of Focused Conversation, Second Edition: More Than 100 Ways to Access Group Wisdom in Your Organization

The Art of Focused Conversation, Second Edition: More Than 100 Ways to Access Group Wisdom in Your Organization


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About the Book

Master conversation techniques that unlock group wisdom and drive better organizational decisions. Over 100 proven methods for facilitating productive discussions, resolving conflicts, and accessing collective intelligence in workplace teams, community groups, and family meetings. Why Most Group Conversations Fail: Without structure, group discussions drift, dominant voices take over, and valuable insights remain unshared. These facilitation methods ensure every voice is heard while keeping conversations focused and productive. What You'll Master: Structured conversation frameworks that guide groups to clear outcomes Question sequences that draw out insights from quiet participants Conflict navigation techniques that transform disagreement into creativity Decision-making processes that build consensus while maintaining momentum Virtual meeting adaptation for remote and hybrid team environments Professional Impact: Leaders using these methods report 50% more productive meetings, higher team engagement, and faster problem-solving with better buy-in from all participants. Transform meetings from time-wasters to breakthrough sessions. Essential for managers, facilitators, and anyone who leads group conversations professionally.

Table of Contents:
Preface Attributions and Gratitude Introduction: Origins of the Method PART 1: THEORY AND PRACTICE     Ch. 1. Why Do Organizations Need Conversations?     Ch. 2. The Focused Conversation Method: An Overview     Ch. 3. The Structure of the Focused Conversation Method     Ch. 4. How Science Supports Focused Conversations     Ch. 5. Preparing a Focused Conversation from Scratch     Ch. 6. Leading a Focused Conversation     Ch. 7. Troubleshooting: Common Problems and Suggested Solutions PART 2: SAMPLE CONVERSATIONS Introduction to the Sample Conversations Section A. Conversations for Preparing and Planning     A1. Preparing a Short Presentation     A2. Getting Input into Writing a Response to a Book or Article     A3. Preparing a Group to Write a Progress Report or Status Update     A4. Preparing a Strategic Presentation on a New Product     A5. Assessing Marketplace Trends     A6. Preparing for the Impact of Government Regulations on a Product     A7. Planning an Organizational Community of Practice     A8. Preparing the Agenda for a Meeting     A9. Identifying Key Themes to Discuss at a Subsequent Meeting     A10. Establishing Priority of Topics to Be Discussed     A11. Planning an Event     A12. Working on a Promotional Piece     A13. Selecting a Theme for an Upcoming Conference     A14. Preparing a Symbol and Slogan for a Public Campaign     A15. Designing New Customer Service Procedures     A16. Preparing for Strategic Planning (Through Reflection)     A17. Focusing a Group on a Shared Problem     A18. Introducing a New Training Topic     A19. Assembling a Budget     A20. Redesigning Office Space     A21. Organizing an In-House Special Interest Group Section B. Decision-Making Conversations     B1. Deciding Work Priorities     B2. Determining Program Priorities     B3. Developing Terms of Reference for a Project Evaluation     B4. Discussing a Staff Response to a Consultant Report     B5. Implementing a New Board Policy     B6. Reworking Office Operating Guidelines     B7. Making Assignments Within a Team     B8. Deciding on a Trade Show Strategy     B9. Reframing a Team's Mission     B10. Helping a Workmate Think Through a Decision     B11. Breaking up a Decisional Logjam in a Group     B12. Dealing with Work Environment Issues     B13. Identifying Gaps between a Current State and a Future State Section C. Managing and Supervising Conversations     C1. Canvassing Employees     C2. Reviewing Work Descriptions     C3. Interviewing a Job Applicant     C4. Conducting a Performance Appraisal     C5. New Managers' Reflection on Their Leadership Roles     C6. Musing on a Frustrating Meeting     C7. Reflecting on a Chaotic Meeting     C8. Creating Participation Guidelines     C9. Dealing with Delegation Issues     C10. Interpreting a Shop Floor Grievance     C11. Discussing an Unexpected and Disruptive Impact     C12. Discussing Staff Dissatisfaction     C13. Naming Market Influences     C14. Analyzing Sales Statistics     C15. Highlighting the Comparative Profile of the Firm     C16. Reflecting on a Transition     C17. Assessing the Impact of a Training Experience     C18. Building a Phased Timeline for a Restructuring Project     C19. Reflecting on Organizational Change     C20. Analyzing Budget Performance     C21. Troubleshooting a Stalled Project     C22. Collaborating on a Supply Program     C23. Reflecting on a Proposal for Departmental Reorganization     C24. Reflecting on a Recent Decision Section D. Conversations for Reviewing and Evaluating     D1. Reviewing a Workshop     D2. Reviewing the Day with a Group     D3. Reviewing a Planning Event     D4. Reviewing the Year     D5. Reviewing an Organization's Past     D6. Reviewing a Consultant's Presentation     D7: Reviewing a Major Report     D8. Understanding the Ongoing Effects of Major Event on Individuals     D9. Discussing an Article     D10. Evaluating a Proposal     D11. Evaluating a Course     D12. Evaluating a Curriculum     D13. Evaluating the Progress of a Project, or Conducting a Lessons Learned     D14. Evaluating a Marketing Campaign     D15. Analyzing a Product that Failed to Sell     D16. Evaluating a Service Offering     D17. Evaluating a New Software Package     D18. Evaluating a Conference     D19. Understanding and Applying Expert Recommendations     D20. Evaluating the Impact of World Events Section E. Conversations for Coaching and Mentoring     E1. Coaching a Colleague     E2. Talking Through a Job Description     E3. Mentoring a New Employee     E4. Holding an Employee to Account     E5. Discussing a Set of Employee Guidelines     E6. Reflecting on Evaluations with Instructors     E7. Meditating on a Difficult Situation     E8. Mentoring a Staff Person about a Family Crisis Affecting Work #1     E9. Mentoring a Staff Person on a Family Crisis Affecting Work #2     E10. Processing a Traumatic Event with an Employee     E11. Inspiring the Team with a Story     E12. Debriefing a Training Video     E13. Creating a Practice of Journaling     E14. Reflecting on One's Life Journey     E15. Planning for Personal Growth Section F. Supporting Diversity and Belonging     F1. Assessing the Diversity of the Organization     F2. Reviewing Policies to Strengthen Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion     F3. Planning for Internationally Trained Workers     F4. Determining Accommodation Needs     F5. Manager's Reflection on an Employee's Challenge     F6. Reflecting on a Derogatory Experience     F7. Support after Derogatory Comments     F8. Becoming Aware of Microaggressions     F9. Uncovering Roots of Unconscious Bias Section G. Resolving Conflict     G1. Resolving a Personal Conflict     G2. Personal Reflection on a Conflict     G3. Responding to a Personal Complaint     G4. Calming an Upset Customer     G5. Initiating Dialogue to Understand a Conflict     G6. Resolving a Dispute     G7. Solving a Team Conflict     G8. Resolving a Long-Term Misunderstanding Section H. Guiding Personal and Celebrative Reflections     H1. Reflecting on the Day     H2. Learning from a Life Event     H3. Facilitator's Internal Reflection While Leading a Group     H4. Appraising an Additional Assignment     H5. Reflecting on a Request to Take on a New Assignment     H6. Celebrating a Great Victory     H7. Interviewing the Employee of the Month     H8. Celebrating a Colleague's Birthday     H9. Celebrating a Colleague's Retirement: A Conversation with the Person     H10. Celebrating a Colleague's Retirement: Group Reflection Section I. Connecting Work and Life     I1. The After-School Conversation     I2. Reentry After a Learning Event     I3. Internal Reflection in a Crisis     I4. Resolving a Family Dispute     I5. Processing a Traumatic Event with Family Appendices     Appendix 1. Possible Tangible Beginning Points for Focused Conversations     Appendix 2. Sample Questions at Each Level     Appendix 3. The Flow of a Focused Conversation     Appendix 4. Guide for Preparing a Conversation     Appendix 5. Focused Conversation Preparation Worksheet     Appendix 6. Example: A Conversation Plan Using the Worksheet     Appendix 7. Example: A Conversation with Typical Answers     Appendix 8. Informal Conversations     Appendix 9. Using the Focused Conversation Method with Other ToP Methods     Appendix 10. Introduction to Image Change     Appendix 11. Other Methods That Follow the ORID Process Bibliography Index About ICA About the Authors About New Society Publishers

About the Author :
R. Brian Stanfield was a recognized leader in the fields of community development and facilitation. As well as his decades of experience as an educator and researcher, he held the position of Director of Publications at the Canadian Institute of Cultural Affairs for many years. In his career with ICA, he played a role in developing the Technology of Participation (ToP) methods, which are widely used in group facilitation and community work around the world. He was editor of the magazine Edges: New Planetary Patterns, General Editor of the first edition of The Art of Focused Conversation and The Workshop Book, and author of The Courage to Lead. Brian's work made a lasting contribution to the use of participatory practices in facilitation. He died in 2006. Jo Nelson is a Certified ToP Facilitator, a founding member of the International Association of Facilitators (IAF), and an IAF Certified Professional Facilitator Emeritus. She worked globally with the Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA) for 50 years, facilitating participatory development projects in many countries, and designing and teaching all of ICA Canada's ToP facilitator training programs. She has used and refined the Focused Conversation Method since its inception, was a contributor to the first edition of The Art of Focused Conversation, and is author of The Art of Focused Conversation for Schools and co-author of Getting to the Bottom of ToP: Foundations of the Methodologies of the Technology of Participation. Jo has received several awards for her contributions to the field of facilitation, and has been inducted into the IAF Hall of Fame. Jo Nelson lives in Toronto, Canada.

Review :
Lead a conversation that is focused, intentional, inclusive, and productive —Martin Gilbraith, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator / Master, ICA Certified ToP Facilitator, Past Chair and board member, International Association of Facilitators The gold standard in facilitation methods. I have used it in business for a quarter century. —David G. Patterson, former 30-year CEO of Northwater Capital Management Inc., and founder and chair, Common Earth This is a transformative guide for anyone dedicated to mastering impactful conversations. —Manal Sayid, Lead Facilitator, Sayid Consulting; Regional Director, North America, International Association of Facilitators (IAF); and Board Member, Technology of Participation Network (ToP Network) Jump-start your ability to apply this method and create conversations that matter. —Harold Sahkoskwaientha Tarbell (Akwesasne Mohawk), ICAA Board Member, Tarbell Facilitation Network A great addition to any facilitator's resource library. —T. Duncan Holmes, certified ToP facilitator (CTF) and ToP trainer, and past Director, ICA Canada Expanded by over one hundred pages, this edition offers state-of-the-art theoretical and practical knowledge on effective conversations. —Robertson Work, nonfiction author and social/ecological activist, former UNDP principal policy advisor, NYU Wagner professor, and ICA executive director in four countries I highly recommend this book to anyone who regularly engages with children, youth, or adults and would like to find ways to take conversations to a deeper level with empathy and thoughtfulness. —Jennifer Chin, visual artist and educator


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Product Details
  • ISBN-13: 9781774060124
  • Publisher: New Society Publishers
  • Publisher Imprint: New Society Publishers
  • Edition: Revised edition
  • Language: English
  • Returnable: Y
  • Returnable: Y
  • Sub Title: More Than 100 Ways to Access Group Wisdom in Your Organization
  • Width: 191 mm
  • ISBN-10: 1774060124
  • Publisher Date: 10 Sep 2024
  • Binding: Paperback
  • Height: 229 mm
  • No of Pages: 368
  • Returnable: Y
  • Spine Width: 19 mm
  • Weight: 643 gr


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