Some subjects seem too hot for a group to discuss sanely. Let Ron Kraybill, professor of Conflict Studies, show you how to help people hear each other when they feel like shouting.
Here is how to focus on the issues at stake rather than having a war of personalities; how to employ actual practices for better understanding (interviews, small-group discussions, role-reversal presentations); and how to move a group toward making a decision that all can honestly support.
Lead author Ron Kraybill is a professor of Conflict Studies in the Conflict Transformation Program at Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, Virginia. During the years of the South African political transition, he trained local, regional, and national leadership in negotiation and mediation skills and served as a training advisor to the National Peace Accord.
Cool Tools is rich in anecdotes and practical how-to for any group faced with tension-filled decision-making.
Reviews:
This is an excellent, practical book. It not only clearly describes various techniques (almost 3 dozen), but sorts them by category (Getting Started, Gathering Information, Closing, etc.) and discusses the strengths, weaknesses, and special considerations for the various techniques. It is brief and easy to read. The authors even provide guidance on which techniques require advanced or experienced facilitators. It is a helpful book for when you are facilitating meetings yourself, or working with an outside facilitator and need to carefully choose an approach to potentially difficult or unproductive meetings. (Amazon reviewer, 2019)
I bought this to help me prepare to lead a social justice discussion group at my church. I feel more confident after reading it and taking notes. Good stuff, highly recommend. It’s short and an easy read for busy group facilitators! (Amazon reviewer, 2017)
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.