The best resources about powerful conversations

A large and growing body of knowledge exists about how to carry on powerful conversations — methodologies, facilitation know-how, dynamic understandings, and more. This knowledge informs professions ranging from therapy to diplomacy and conflict resolution, from organizational development to creativity and innovation, from community revitalization to activism and deliberative democracy, from family relationships to education and spiritual development.

 

At the leading edge of the deeper understandings of conversation’s power are innovative contributions like Peggy Holman’s recent book ENGAGING EMERGENCE — and the ambitious project to create a “pattern language” of group process now nearing its first stage release by Tree Bressen, Co-Intelligence Institute president John Abbe, and many others (including me).

 

Stepping back from the leading edge, we find a wealth of incredible knowledge, broadly useful in many aspects of life. Over the last year I’ve found some excellent resources about this, compilations of pathways into and around the world of powerful conversational practice. You’ll find links to these resources here.

 

One amazing compilation is the “Best-of-the-Best Resources about Dialogue and Deliberation” compiled by Sandy Heierbacher, coordinator of the National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation (NCDD). To her list, I’ve added “The Best Online Compilations of Conversational and Participatory Processes” (see below) which connects you to seven sites which together describe and link to well over a hundred different processes.

 

May this information serve you well in your efforts to serve your groups, your community, your organization, your world and the unfolding future we all share.

 

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THE BEST ONLINE COMPILATIONS OF CONVERSATIONAL AND PARTICIPATORY PROCESSES

By Tom Atlee
THE CO-INTELLIGENCE INSTITUTE’S
LIST OF PROCESSES
http://co-intelligence.org/CommunityEngagement.html
MULTI-PROCESS PROGRAM RESOURCES
http://co-intelligence.org/DD-MultiProcessPgms.html

 

NATIONAL COALITION FOR DIALOGUE AND DELIBERATION (NCDD) METHODS DATABASE
http://ncdd.org/rc/item/category/dd-methods

 

PARTICIPEDIA
http://www.participedia.net

 

DIALOGUE RESOURCE GUIDE
http://www.transitiontowns.org.nz/resources/Dialogue%20Project%20V%202.0c.pdf
(Shortened URL: )

 

MULTI-STAKEHOLDER PROCESS RESOURCE PORTAL
http://portals.wi.wur.nl/msp/

 

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (IAP2)
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION TOOLBOX (Especially the second half)
http://iap2.affiniscape.com/associations/4748/files/06Dec_Toolbox.pdf
(Shortened URL: )

 

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FACILITATORS (IAF) METHODS DATABASE (Requires free registration)
https://www.sessionlab.com/library/iafmethods