Will Wise

After watching so many of Chad Littlefield's YouTube videos (which are great!) I felt compelled to get the book, which he shamelessly but convincingly references frequently. (He is pointing out the consistency in his work and messaging as much as promoting the book, so no criticism here).
The book is full of great ideas and help for facilitators who want to connect with a group and lead that group through important and meaningful conversations. I think the hint is in the choice of "create" conversations rather than "have" conversations that matter. This really is a guide for facilitators, though coaches and conversationalists can find takeaways as well. It is a how-to and I know I will go back to the book multiple times to learn and relearn the processes.
I found the personal examples useful in illustrating some of the concepts explained, and I could have read more of them. I also would have welcomed more of the Did You Know? sidebars. But maybe that's what the YouTube videos are. I'll keep watching them, too.

NOTE: there's a companion GUIDED JOURNAL
Using the two together is like learning alongside a master who coaches you. What's great is that the questions, like yoga, don't try to get you "there," because there is no "there" or end goal. It's all about moving forward with incremental improvements. Which means that once I've worked through the journal, I can start all over and do it again, and again, and again. I can also use it to coach others forward. So useful!

Section1 is great for getting yourself set to move forward towards a goal -- any goal, be it corporate, team, personal, big or small. The steps walk you through the intention-setting logically and progressively. Magical.
Section 2, on rapport, takes more time as you need to really reflect on how you interact with people. Take a question at a time and observe yourself with other people using that question's lens. It moves from general interactions to a specific connection, so great when you're looking to network.
Section 3, openness, is about digging into your own baggage that may prevent openness. It requires time to reflect and observe oneself -- but with compassion to keep trying.
Section 4 involves deep work on self-awareness to be a good listener.
Section 5 on empathy proposes that now that you've looked deep into yourself, learn to look deeply into others.
Section 6 helps you to bring all that work on yourself forward into the world to achieve your goals.… (mehr)