The Art of Focused Conversation, Second Edition

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

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.

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. R