The Art of Focused Conversation, Second Edition (Paperback)

R. Brian Stanfield

ISBN 10: 1774060124 / ISBN 13: 9781774060124

Published by New Society Publishers, Gabriola Island, 2024

About this Item

Paperback. 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 outcomesQuestion sequences that draw out insights from quiet participantsConflict navigation techniques that transform disagreement into creativityDecision-making processes that build consensus while maintaining momentumVirtual meeting adaptation for remote and hybrid team environmentsProfessional 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. The Art of Focused Conversation is the comprehensive, best-selling, practical guide to group communication and participatory decision-making. Based on over 60 years of meticulous research and proven science, this fully updated and revised edition includes 125 sample conversations that can be adapted to any situation. Shipping may be from our Sydney, NSW warehouse or from our UK or US warehouse, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9781774060124

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Art of Focused Conversation, Second Edition (Paperback)
• Publisher: New Society Publishers, Gabriola Island
• Publication Date: 2024
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1774060124
• ISBN 13: 9781774060124
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition: 2nd Edition
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

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.

About the Authors

R. Brian Stanfield was an educator, researcher, and Director of Publications at the Canadian Institute of Cultural Affairs. Editor of the first edition of The Art of Focused Conversation and The Workshop Book and author of The Courage to Lead, Brian made a lasting contribution to the use of participatory practices in facilitation. He died in 2006.

Jo Nelson led participatory development projects and designed and taught ToP facilitator training programs through the Institute of Cultural Affairs for 50 years. She contributed to the original The Art of Focused Conversation and wrote The Art of Focused Conversation for Schools and Getting to the Bottom of ToP. She lives in Toronto, Ontario.