Facilitating Breakthrough

Preface

Moving forward together is becoming less straightforward.

In many contexts, people face increasing complexity and decreasing control. They need to work with more people from across more divides. This is true both within organizations and in larger social systems.

In such situations, the most straightforward and commonplace ways of advancing—some people telling others what to do, or everyone just doing what they want to do—aren’t adequate.

What is a better way?

One better way is through facilitating: helping a group collaborate across their differences to create change. The word facilitate means “to make easier,” and facilitation enables ...