Check out the Art of Hosting website and Art of Hosting Online Community for the information listed below as well as additional insight into how to practice the Art of Hosting.
The Art of Hosting is a highly effective way of harnessing the collective wisdom and self-organizing capacity of groups of any size. Based on the assumption that people give their energy and lend their resources to what matters most to them – in work as in life – the Art of Hosting blends a suite of powerful conversational processes to invite people to step in and take charge of the challenges facing them.
Groups and organizations using the Art of Hosting as a working practice report better decision-making, more efficient and effective capacity building and greater ability to quickly respond to opportunity, challenge and change. People who experience the Art of Hosting typically say that they walk away feeling more empowered and able to help guide the meetings and conversations they are part of move towards more effective and desirable outcomes.
Using all the ingredients of good conversation
The Art of Hosting offers a blend of some of the most powerful methods to create open and meaningful conversation that leads to commitment and good results. Working with a range of collaborative methods – like Circle, World Café, Appreciative Inquiry, Open Space Technology, ProAction Café, storytelling and more – practitioners can tailor the approach to their context and purpose.
An art that takes practice and care
But this is more than a suite of methods – it is also a practice.
It is an art
….to become skillful at helping ourselves and others work well together, especially in these times of increasing complexity.
It is hosting
…because what is offered is not a typical facilitation or moderated session. It gives attention and care to all aspects of people’s work together, intending to host them in being successful, just as any person welcoming guests will make sure they have everything they need to make their visit fruitful.
The Art of Hosting Conversations That Matter takes into account the whole process – all the preparations before the participants come together, what happens while they are working together, and how the results of their conversation – the ‘harvest’ – support next steps that are coherent for their purpose and context.
No formal organizational structure
The Art of Hosting network has:
- no formal, legal structure
- no appointed leade
- no accreditation program
- no controlling body.
It is based on a practitioner network, with local communities of practice; it is committed to learning and generous with its sharing and support.
More of an explanation on the Art of Hosting.
The Talk Exchange 