32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Powerful resource for groups!, March 31, 2000
This book was a real surprise. I am not sure why it is titled "Great Meetings" because it is an excellent toolbox for group development. As a peformance improvement coach, I have been using this book in my work with developing teams. Highly readable, this book explores group dynamics, roles, communication, conflict management, decision making, etc. Each chapter is well written and includes effective exercises. This is a great resource for a consultant, team leader, or facilitator. I have even used it as a gift to the team leader, a stay behind resource. Again, I am surprised at the limiting title. The authors have put together a greater resource than they may have realized. This is much more than a "how-to-have-a-meeting" book.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
How to eliminate swamp gas, January 18, 2005
This review is from: Great Meetings! Great Results (Paperback)
This is a revised and expanded edition of a book which has proven especially helpful to those responsible for planning and conducting meetings but also to those who need to improve their presentation skills in other situations such as when meeting with a supervisor (e.g. to provide a progress report) or with a client (e.g. to make recommendations concerning new initiatives). Kelsey and Plumb are professional meeting facilitators who also train others to become effective facilitators. In this new edition, they share much of the same material found in the first edition (Great Meetings! How to Facilitate Like a Pro) but develop it in much greater depth, in response to extensive feedback which they have obtained since 1997. They respond to questions such as these:
What distinguishes facilitation from meeting organization, process design, process coaching, and organizational development consulting?
How to achieve effective group dynamics?
How best to prepare for a meeting?
How to design a great meeting?
Which three basic process steps are involved?
Which tools are needed to generate and evaluate ideas which result in appropriate decisions?
How to maximize a group's potential?
Which skills are need to promote positive communication?
How best to avoid or resolve conflicts?
When should a facilitator intervene in a group discussion? (When not to?)
How to enhance the group discussion with graphics? How best to integrate them?
Which personal issues are most significant to effective facilitation?
Kelsey and Plumb offer countless suggestions as to What to do, How to do it, What NOT to do, and Why. Those who are relatively inexperienced in terms of meeting facilitation will probably derive the greatest value from this book but I think it can also be of substantial benefit to others in need of fresh perspectives, sharper skills, and additional tools as they prepare to facilitate the next group meeting. When concluding this brief commentary, I presume to share a few thoughts of my own. First, make certain that there is a compelling need for a meeting. Second, include only those who are essential to the success of the meeting. Third, share the agenda in advance. Fourth, identify specific objectives and limit the discussion to achieving them. Finally, make certain when determining next steps that each task has an "owner" and a deadline. Follow up to ensure that everyone follows through. Without direct accountability, nothing will be accomplished.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Meetings is a Great Resource, May 12, 2000
For the past 22 years, I've been designing and conducting experiential training events. I have also been teaching and coaching others in this work. I have found Great Meetings!to be an invaluable resource. Dee Kelsey and Pam Plumb have managed to present the most important concepts of facilitation in a straight-forward and engaging way. I frequently turn to Great Meetings! as a reference in my work, I recommend it to others, and I give it as a gift to colleagues and friends. Great Meetings! filled a void and I am grateful to the authors for knowing it was neededand for bringing it into being.
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