"If the group is an art form of the future, then convening groups is an artistry we must cultivate to fully harvest the promise of the future." (Jacob Needham, et al. "Centred on the Edge")

Beneath the session logistics and concerns of covering all the content you want to in a mere 90 minute session, lies the opportunity for a facilitator to host a space with deeper intention and attention. The 'art' of hosting a space and process lies in creating the necessary conditions and timing to give your process a sense of flow and completedness. It has to do with being able to ground yourself as a host or facilitator and also respond in the moment to what is emerging that might hold a spark of new interest or energy to carry the conversation forward. It has to do with creating a space that allows people to engage in an authentic way - a space that invites contribution, allows for genuine listening to each other, and that builds on the collective potential in the room.

To prepare yourself as a host means to do what you need to do to be prepared and grounded before you walk into the room, and to help your co-facilitators/speakers/moderator feel just as grounded and prepared. It is just as much about the 'art of harvesting' - that is, taking the time to capture learning along the way as valuable feed-forward into whatever next steps ensure from your session.

Learn more about the community of practitioners of the 'art of hosting' and learning we have been doing together around the world about this practice at: www.artofhosting.org