"A bold new approach to how we gather that will transform the ways we spend our time together--at work, at home, in our communities, and beyond. In The art of gathering, Priya Parker argues that the gatherings in our lives are lackluster and unproductive--which they don't have to be. We rely too much on routine and the conventions of gatherings when we should focus on distinctiveness and the people involved. At a time when coming together is more important than ever, Parker sets forth a human-centered approach to gathering that will help everyone create meaningful, memorable experiences, large and small, for work and for play. Drawing on her expertise as a facilitator of high-powered gatherings around the world, Parker takes us inside events of all kinds to show what works, what doesn't, and why. She investigates a wide array of gatherings--conferences, meetings, a courtroom, a flash-mob party, an Arab-Israeli summer …
"A bold new approach to how we gather that will transform the ways we spend our time together--at work, at home, in our communities, and beyond. In The art of gathering, Priya Parker argues that the gatherings in our lives are lackluster and unproductive--which they don't have to be. We rely too much on routine and the conventions of gatherings when we should focus on distinctiveness and the people involved. At a time when coming together is more important than ever, Parker sets forth a human-centered approach to gathering that will help everyone create meaningful, memorable experiences, large and small, for work and for play. Drawing on her expertise as a facilitator of high-powered gatherings around the world, Parker takes us inside events of all kinds to show what works, what doesn't, and why. She investigates a wide array of gatherings--conferences, meetings, a courtroom, a flash-mob party, an Arab-Israeli summer camp--and explains how simple, specific changes can invigorate any group experience. The result is a book that's both journey and guide, full of exciting ideas with real-world applications. The art of gathering will forever alter the way you look at your next meeting, industry conference, dinner party, and backyard barbecue--and how you host and attend them"--
I picked up this book out of a genuine desire to become a better host, but also a better guest. There are some nuggets of domain expertise in the book, but the point is lost on me when the case study is a socialite doing fundraising gala. So much of the book is bourgeoisie thinking - I don't need to give my friends the night of their lives, not all my memories need to be unforgettable. Sometimes I want dinner to be as pleasant as having comfort food in pyjamas, an uneventful night to wash away "excessively interesting" times.
Some great ideas but much stronger for professional gatherings -- I don't feel like every personal gathering needs a deep, disputable purpose. For all that Parker disdains the term, sometimes people DO just want to hang out.
This is simultaneously very good (human interactions and facilitation focus over logistics, richly justified) and limited business-level book (so many illustrative stories, key points probably fit on one page).
