Editorial Review:
"The best book on collaboration ever written!"
—Diane Flannery, founding CEO, Juma Ventures And now this classic book is even better—much better. Completely revised and updated, the second edition is loaded with new tools and techniques. -
Two powerful new chapters on agenda design -
A full section devoted to reaching closure -
More than twice as many tools for handling difficult dynamics -
70 brand-new pages and over 100 pages significantly improved
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The Secrets of Facilitation: The S.M.A.R.T. Guide to Getting Results With Groups |
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Customer Reviews
Average Customer Rating: 
Great decision-making facilitation! 2008-08-10
The 1st edition of Sam Kaner's book was a fairly thin volume that diagramed his divergent-convergent thinking model. It made me laugh when he named the struggle to reach convergence the `groan zone'! Most who have facilitated decision-making have experienced this, the name works well for the process! This 2nd edition is about his model with much more added around essential facilitation skills.
Some of the things that worked particularly well for me are:
* The `right brained' approach of the book, lots of illustrations
* The visuals model the visual organizers facilitators use
* The facilitator fundamentals section gets to the basics
* The segment on difficult dynamics and facilitation problems
* The `pathetic agenda' checklist
This is a wonderful reference book with humor and heart. It is a practical handbook that every facilitator should have.
The Facilitator's Fieldbook (2nd Edition)Advanced Facilitation Strategies: Tools & Techniques to Master Difficult SituationsThe Facilitator Excellence Handbook (Pfeiffer Essential Resources for Training and HR Professionals)
The only facilitation book I really use 2008-01-17
Without succumbing to ambiguous metaphors or descriptive processes, Dr. Kaner and his co-authors capture the nuts and bolts of relevant, useful facilitation skills. In clear, understandable language, he makes the concepts of this book available to newbies and the experienced alike. His diamond of group dynamics and linear diagram of the gradients of agreement are common sense approaches that allow groups to understand themselves. I have both used and recommended this book to hundreds of my peers as well as clients in many social sectors.
A must for all Agile Software Development team leaders! 2007-11-24
In mentoring Project Managers, Agile Coaches, and Scrum Masters about the need to be facilitative, objective, and team-oriented, I have always recommended this book as a MUST READ. In fact, this book changed my work in the technical world of software development. Through Sam Kaner's very clear view of what good facilitators do to help teams move through the "Groan Zone", I found great depth in exercises and techniques for drawing out the true wisdom of software teams. The result is that I have relied upon these brainstorming, prioritizing, conflict management, and other divergence/convergence practices for creating great software organizations worldwide. It was a great resource for my own book Collaboration Explained: Facilitation Skills for Software Project Leaders (The Agile Software Development Series). And, as I continue to conduct training in agile team work or help organizations adopt a very participatory decision style for software development teams, I always recommend Kaner's book. Its approach and conviction around team power also plays wonderfully into the Lean concepts of "Empower the team" and "Amplify Learning". Facilitative leaders in software really can empower their teams and amplify their learning following Kaner's advice. Buy it!
Would not be without it! 2007-10-16
This book is a key resource for me when designing a facilitation session. It is a much depended on resource that has guided me through some challengeing situations. The section on Building Sustainable Agreements is full of wonderful techniques to help groups meet their goals. I have to mention the "Gradients of Agreement", this is an amazing tool for gaining group consensus. The Dynamics of Group Decision making is foundational knowledge for any facilitator. When I talk to groups about this they can really relate to the "Groan Zone".
A `Must--Have' For Facilitators, Project Leaders, and Decision-Makers 2007-08-29
Regardless of your role, after reading The Facilitator's Guide your perspective on how to get the most out of group participation will be changed forever. Never again do you have to walk into a meeting unsure of what will be accomplished or whether the outcomes will be met. Using the tools provided (i.e. creating effective agendas, chartwriting, building sustainable agreements, and meeting closure), along with understanding how to apply the principles and values of participatory decision-making (i.e. full participation, mutual understanding, inclusive solutions, and shared responsibility) will completely energize both you and those you are working with. The material within this book is foundational to my own consulting practice, and clients rave about its usefulness, ease-of-understanding, and immediate application to their current situation. Regardless of what group dynamic you are dealing with, this book offers solid, effective, and transforming methods to re-vitalize the situation. After reading this book, words such as collaboration and partnering will take on new meaning in actionable ways. I cannot recommend this book highly enough to those within organizations wanting to more effectively involve and engage their employees.
Katherine A. Hart, EdD, Principal Consultant of KA Hart & Associates, BAodn Board Member, and ODN member
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