The Art of Convening
Convening is a core practice for purposeful leadership
What is "Convening”? What is The Art of Convening?
Convening is often called “The Technology of Relationships” or “The Structure of Belonging.”
Convening is different from facilitation. Facilitators bring specific tools and skills necessary for any good meeting. Conveners create the container and set the conditions for mutual trust and respect, key to any collaborative engagement. Additionally, conveners invite participants to co-create the highest possible outcome for a meeting or gathering. - Craig Neal, Originator and Lead Author of The Art of Convening book
Convening: Gathering and "holding" people for the sake of authentic engagement. More than a meeting modality, a convened meeting or gathering enhances and maximizes business and organizational performance by strengthening relationships, buy-in, accountability and commitment to help people excel and be successful in their work and lives.
The Art of Convening is about creating a structure to connect to and express your purpose while being in authentic relationship with others. Because you are always in relationship, you are never not convening.
Meetings bring us together as human beings. Do you feel that “Meetings are a waste of time”? You’re not alone but let’s change that through authentic engagement. What is authentic engagement?
To consistently achieve the kind of meaning or impactful results most of us really yearn for when we gather, the key quality needed is authentic engagement: a genuine expression of what is true for us, and an attentive listening to what is true for others. Why it so often eludes us can be a matter of habit, distrust, lack of attention, or fear. The Art of Convening is a replicable pattern and intention for gatherings that have meaning and impact.
A practical field-guide, a road map navigating the 9 Steps to Collaboration
This book, rooted in decades of practical experience, details a powerful set of principles and practices for making any gathering productive, meaningful, and transformative.
Details a powerful set of principles and practices for making any gathering productive, meaningful, and transformative
Draws on the authors' decades of experience convening meetings in all kinds of settings
Offers practical wisdom on both the inner and outer aspects of convening
Called to Convene (Book Foreword)
From Richard Leider
Richard is the author of eleven books, including three best sellers, and his books have sold over one million copies.
Convening was, and is, one of the most powerful, life-altering forces in the universe. ...Heeding the call to convene requires a clear choice—the choice to be authentically ourselves. …Being authentically engaged means that we realize we are here to contribute to life on earth some- thing that no one else can contribute in quite the same way. [This book] has reminded me that each gathering is a sacred adventure where even our struggles can lead us to what mythologist Joseph Campbell called “the rapture of being alive.” You hold in your hands a wise book. I hope it brings you alive like it did me.