Facilitation Books
Here’s a short list of books and other resources that I have read and enjoyed to help me along with facilitating groups
Core Professional Facilitation Books
The Skilled Facilitator Roger Schwarz – This and its companion The Skilled Facilitator Fieldbook are really the bible for me as far as how to arrange and do facilitation end to end.
Facilitator’s Guide to Participatory Decision Making Sam Kaner. This is quite a classic – and you will definitely identify with the ‘Groan Zone’. This is the second bible for me.
The Art of Focussed Conversation: 100 Ways to Access Group Wisdom in the Workplace – A nifty book on the O.R.I.D. model – Objective, Reflective, Interpretive, and Decisional. It was developed by the Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA) in Canada and involves a facilitator asking people four levels of questioning with each level building on previous levels. It’s based on the theory that people need to be cognisant of the actual data and deal with their emotional responses to the topic in order to undertake better analysis and decision-making.
Open Space Facilitation – Owen Harrison – Open Space gatherings are the ultimate in powerful, self-organizing meetings, yet there is preparation involved by the sponsoring parties and the invitation.
Six Thinking Hats Edward de Bono – this is a wonderful introduction to lateral thinking. What are the different ways of thinking that each person can contribute; six hats is a method for facilitating.
Books with focus on techniques, games, and practical matters
From Contempt to Curiosity – Caitlin Walker
Visual Meetings – David Sibbet
Facilitating with Ease! Core Skills for Facilitators, Team Leaders, Members, Managers, Consultants and Trainers, Ingrid Bens
Gamestorming: Dave Gray, Sunnie Brown, James Macanufo
Innovation Games Luke Hohman
Thought provoking books on Learning in Organizations/Groups
More Time to Think Nancy Kline This is a gem if you just want to uncover the power of listening and its effect on the ability for people to think, and develop solutions, independently and in groups.
Discussing the Undiscussable William Noonan builds on the work of Chris Argyris, known for double-loop learning theories.
Local Faciliator’s Group for my DC area friends
Mid-Atlantic Facilitator’s Network – excellent very active group that hosts webinars and in person morning long seminars and workshops. I’ve been a member and board member for over 1 year. You can join as a remote member and enjoy free interactive members all year long.
For your iPhone and/or other mobile device (if available as Android)
Links and apps I have on my iPhone for quick reference (in a Facilitation folder) are listed below:
Mindtools
Group Works
A3 Thinker
Liberating Structures
TastyCupcakes
Fun Retrospectives
Gamestorming
Candor
July 13, 2015 at 10:54 am
Dear Andrea … I do agree with a number of the books you’ve listed here as many of them are on in my personal library. And without sounding too much the self promoter, I do hope that you’ll seek out and read my latest book found at http://www.ebookit.com/books/0000004227/Facilitating-Genius-Illuminating-Brilliance-in-Your-Organization.html … If you like it, please write a review -or- perhaps update your list after adding my title. If you don’t think it measures up, then let’s chat. Looking forward to seeing you at a future MAFN event … John Lesko
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