Category Archives: news

The Art of Focused Conversation, Second Edition: More Than 100 Ways to Access Group Wisdom in Your Organization

“Questions are the primary tool of the facilitator. If you have ever wondered what questions to ask, or in what order to ask them, to lead a conversation that is focused, intentional, inclusive, and productive, let this book be your guide.

I was once asked if there is such a thing as a universal principle of facilitation — mine is ORID, the powerful, foundational model of this ToP Focused Conversation method.” – Martin Gilbraith

by R. Brian Stanfield and Jo Nelson

The essential, bestselling guide to designing and leading useful and effective group conversations is now completely revised and updated.

The Art of Focused Conversation is the quintessential theoretical and practical guide to group communication and participatory decision-making. Incorporating over 60 years of meticulous research and collaborative development, this perennial, international bestseller is an indispensable addition to any facilitator’s toolkit.

The Focused Conversation Method at the heart of The Art of Focused Conversation is a core component of the Technology of Participation (ToP) methodology developed by the Institute of Cultural Affairs. The original book is widely regarded as a key resource for designing and leading useful and effective conversations and fostering consensus and collaboration. This fully updated and revised edition includes:

  • Preparation and guidelines for discussing challenging topics and facilitating a focused conversation
  • A comprehensive overview of the ORID framework, made up of Objective, Reflective, Interpretive, and Decisional questions which guide a group to wise decisions
  • In-depth analysis of how the underlying structure of ToP is based on applied phenomenology and is supported by the latest findings in neuroscience and social psychology
  • New sections on diversity, equity, and inclusion; work-life balance; conflict resolution; and guiding focused conversations online
  • 125 sample conversations that can be adapted to any situation.

Invigorate and elevate your group process with this invaluable resource—required reading for facilitators, leaders, educators, and anyone who wants to think clearly and guide thoughtful conversations.

Brian Stanfield was an educator, researcher, and Director of Publications at the Canadian Institute of Cultural Affairs. Editor of the first edition of The Art of Focused Conversation and The Workshop Book and author of The Courage to Lead, Brian made a lasting contribution to the use of participatory practices in facilitation. He died in 2006.

Jo Nelson worked with the Institute of Cultural Affairs for 50 years, leading participatory development projects and designing and teaching ToP facilitator training programs. She was a contributor to the first edition of The Art of Focused Conversation and is author of The Art of Focused Conversation for Schools and Getting to the Bottom of ToP.

Pre-ordering is available at a discount until September 10 – order from New Society Publishers or Amazon.

See also about me, how I work, who I work with and recommendations & case studies, and please contact me about how we might work together.

New! ToP Group Facilitation Methods training in Bristol, 1-2 October

Register now for public courses in EventbriteI am excited to announce an addition to my 2024 public ToP facilitation training schedule:

Register now in Eventbrite for ToP Group Facilitation Methods training, 1-2 October in Bristol!

Introducing the foundations of the ToP approach, two powerful techniques for structuring effective conversations and building group consensus – 2 days

“Meetings are a key part of what we do. As a diverse, transnational, multilingual membership network, successful meetings are key to our internal and external successes. Many of our staff mentioned Martin’s training as a highlight in their end of year reviews – several said it was the most useful training they had ever attended, and there was a clear consensus that we should work with him again.”

Eve Geddie, Deputy Director at Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants (PICUM)

Who this course is for

The course is for all those who want to be able to engage people more effectively to build shared understanding and consensus, including team leaders and managers within organisations, those working with Boards, management teams, partnerships and external stakeholders, youth and community workers and independent facilitators. This course has no pre-requisite, but is the pre-requisite for Participatory Strategic Planning. It is recommended both to newcomers to facilitation, and to experienced facilitators who are new to our approach.

IAF endorsed trainingPreparing for CPF certification? Meetings That Work, Group Facilitation Methods and Facilitating Client Collaboration together comprise the ICA Associates ToP Facilitation Essentials Program that has been endorsed by the International Association of Facilitators for those preparing to become an IAF Certified Professional Facilitator (CPF).

IAF members enjoy a special 10% discount – see Exclusive Offers for IAF Members.

Questions this course answers

“How can I have more purposeful & productive conversations, bring out the wisdom of a group, encourage feedback between people, and reach shared awareness in meetings? How can I generate and weave together a diverse range of ideas, develop creative solutions and build a group consensus?”

This course provides a structured introduction to the ToP Focused Conversation and Consensus Workshop methods, which form the foundations of the ToP Action Planning method, Participatory Strategic Planning and other applications.

What you will gain

By the end of the course, you will

  • be able to identify when and how to use the Focused Conversation and Consensus Workshop methods
  • have gained confidence in the use of these methods
  • have recognised and explored elements of participation, creativity, teamwork and action
  • have built links with others to promote future collaboration and support in the use of the methods

The Focused Conversation method provides a structured, four-level process for effective communication which ensures that everyone in a group has the opportunity to participate.

The Consensus Workshop method is a five stage process that enables a facilitator to draw out and weave together everybody’s wisdom into a clear and practical consensus.

These methods have been featured in publications including:

See also my own blog posts Four steps to a universal principle of facilitation and learning and Responding to changing situations and needs with ToP Consensus Workshop.

Learning style

The course presents the two methods in a practical and participatory way. Each method is first demonstrated, then analysed and discussed, and then practiced in supportive small groups with guided reflection & feedback. Finally, participants plan how they will apply each method in their own situations.

What do participants say about this course?

93% of GFM participants rated the course 8/10 or higher. Comments from participants’ end-of-course evaluations included:

  • brilliant – a must-do if you want better, more effective meetings
  • provides two practical, easy-to-use methods to discover deep insights from diverse groups – useful tools for any group, organisation or community
  • benefits for experienced facilitator and novice alike
  • worth every penny – excellent content & great presentation

Your trainers

I am pleased to offer this course in partnership with ICA:UK.

See also about me, how I work, who I work with and recommendations & case studies, and please contact me about how we might work together.

ToP facilitation training at your place – and free places for you!

Register now for public courses in EventbriteAre you interested in taking or commissioning ToP facilitation training – but you don’t find any scheduled public courses to suit you, and you don’t have a group large enough to make an in-house course cost-effective?

I’d be happy to talk with you about scheduling a partnership course with you, at your place, wherever you are – please contact me.

If you can provide a suitable space for the training, or perhaps venue & catering and trainer accommodation as well, then you could enjoy a number of free and/or discounted places for you or your delegates. We would need only to recruit enough fee-paying trainees between us by an agreed deadline to make up the numbers and the budget to confirm the course. Depending on the location and the deadline I may be able to recruit those extra people myself, and handle online registrations and payments. If you can recruit more people yourself, from your networks, and if you can handle registrations and payments, then you could have more free or discounted places and maybe a shorter lead time as well.

If you choose one of my regularly scheduled public courses listed below, then we will be better able to confirm the course even if you can’t recruit many people yourself. If you have particular training needs and you can recruit others who share them, then we could develop and schedule a public course tailored to meet your needs.

Since 2013 when I launched my own public and partnership courses under license with ICA:UK, with whom I have offered public and in-house training since 1998, I have offered dozens of such partnership courses in locations including (most often) Brussels, and Edinburgh, Geneva, Istanbul, Kiev, Moscow, Pisa and online.

I deliver in English and with simultaneous interpretation. I draw on the worldwide network of ICA International to provide ToP training materials in many languages, and to arrange for experienced local ToP trainers to deliver with me (or without me) in many languages.

I particularly welcome opportunities to deliver training within a day or two’s surface travel from London or Barcelona.  If I am not tempted to fly to deliver training myself further afield, then I shall be glad to recommend an alternative experienced ToP trainer who is more local to you – see What can I do about climate change, personally and as a facilitator?

See also about me, how I work, who I work with and recommendations & case studies, and please contact me about how we might work together.

Register now in Eventbrite for my own upcoming public courses in London & elsewhere. For additional courses, dates & locations offered by fellow ICA:UK Associates, including online, see A new schedule and special offers for ToP facilitation training.

Supercharge your facilitation practice with opportunities & insights from the profession

ICAUK ToP Participatory Strategic Planning training, 2013 at NCVO in London - photo Adam Swann, facilitation Martin Gilbraith #ToPfacilitation 1Supercharge your learning at the UK’s top facilitation event of the year

A space to grow, reflect and learn together

Register for the International Association of Facilitators (IAF) England & Wales annual conference, and supercharge your learning this year by joining our special pre-conference ICA:UK ToP facilitation masterclass with Martin Gilbraith.

Conference attendees enjoy a 25% discount, IAF members and non-members.

Register now:

What is changing in the world of facilitation and workshop design?

What can 2023 teach us about the promises and challenges of 2024?

There are some fascinating insights on the practice of facilitation and the profession in this new survey report from SessionLab, not least that almost 20% of respondents report that they use ICA’s ToP facilitation methods – we wonder what the other 80% are waiting for!

This second annual report is based on the contributions of 975 facilitators around the world, and accompanied by commentary from 12 experts sharing their perspectives.

John Cornwell of our own ICA:UK Team and IAF’s Social Inclusion Facilitators comments on the demographics of the profession:

“We need to expand outreach efforts, include colleagues from various backgrounds worldwide, and create an inclusive and supportive environment for facilitators”

Read the report:

Taking your facilitation online

Includes Miro, Mural and Jamboard templates for ToP Focused Conversations and Consensus Workshops

A few places remain available on this month’s two-session course on adapting ICA’s ToP facilitation methods for the online world with Alan Heckman.

Register now:

Support us to support our international partners

The current focus of ICA:UK’s International Working Group is on:

  • providing support for local organisations in Africa through the Village Volunteers sponsorship scheme. We have recently been able to fund training in ToP methods for Support for Community Response, and training of Climate Change Educators through the Kombuni Water Development Self-Help Group, both in Kenya.
  • making plans for the expansion of the Village Volunteers scheme so that we can deepen and broaden our impact in Africa. Watch this space for more detail
  • exploring further expansion of ToP training in Romania by identifying and working with a local partner there

Add your support to Village Volunteers here.

Why ICA’s ‘Technology of Participation’ (ToP) facilitation training?

93% of participants rated Group Facilitation Methods 8/10 or higher

Comments from participants’ end-of-course evaluations included:

  • brilliant – a must-do if you want better, more effective meetings
  • provides two practical, easy-to-use methods to discover deep insights from diverse groups – useful tools for any group, organisation or community
  • benefits for experienced facilitator and novice alike
  • worth every penny – excellent content & great presentation

“Successful meetings are key to our internal and external successes. Many of our staff mentioned this training as a highlight in their end of year reviews – several said it was the most useful training they had ever attended.”

Eve Geddie

Find out what Group Facilitation Methods could do for you.

Download our course brochure here

** Last few places available **  
Taking ToP Methods Online,
ONLINE, 15 Feb
with Alan Heckman

Adapting ICA’s ToP facilitation methods for the online world.		 Group Facilitation Methods
LONDON, 20-21 Feb
with Martin Gilbraith

Introducing the foundations of the ToP approach, two powerful techniques for structuring effective conversations and building group consensus.
* Fast approaching *  
Group Facilitation Methods
EDINBURGH, 20-21 Mar
with Martin Gilbraith

Introducing the foundations of the ToP approach, two powerful techniques for structuring effective conversations and building group consensus		 ToP Masterclass
Birmingham, 25 Apr
with Martin Gilbraith

Facilitating dialogue, learning, consensus & change.

Also coming soon:

See the full 2024 schedule at https://ica-uk.org.uk/courses/

Looking for something else, tailored or in-house?

Let us come to you to meet your particular goals

Maximise your benefit from our training by letting us come to you, to meet your particular learning goals:

If your organisation or group needs a facilitator, or if you need support in designing and delivering a workshop, meeting or conference:

Meet Our Team, and Contact us!

Interested in joining our team of trainers?

We currently have seven trainee trainers at various stages of the trainer’s journey, and we are keen to grow and diversify our team further – learn more and contact us.

Have you got your Sticky Wall yet?

ICA:UK Sticky Walls are a great visual tool for facilitators, group leaders and trainers. They are light, portable and can be used anywhere. Arrange and reposition ideas easily to inspire idea generation and encourage group involvement. 

Buy now

See also about me, how I work, who I work with and recommendations & case studies, and please contact me about how we might work together.

Register now in Eventbrite for my own upcoming public courses in London & elsewhere and see ICA:UK for additional courses offered by fellow ICA:UK Associates online and elsewhere.

To arrange an in-house or partnership course for your group, see ToP facilitation training at your place – and free places for you! and please contact me.

Are you ready to elevate your facilitation skills to lead more impactful group sessions in 2024?

A glimpse of ToP facilitation training

Kickstart your New Year with a commitment to your personal and professional development

As the new year approaches, are you thinking of how you could better lead your teams to success?

Check out our new ICA:UK 2024 public course schedule for ‘ToP’ facilitation training in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Dublin and online.

In addition to our flagship Group Facilitation Methods, these 1-3 day ‘Technology of Participation’ (ToP) training courses include:

  • Focused Conversation
  • Action Planning
  • Participatory Strategic Planning
  • Taking ToP Methods Online, and
  • a special one-day ToP Masterclass.

Additional courses, dates and locations may be added throughout the year at https://ica-uk.org.uk/courses/.

If you do not find what you are looking for, please contact me.

Book now and save!

Enjoy a special New Year offer

Book now to enjoy a special New Year offer of 10% off a limited number of full rate or discounted places on any of our 2024 courses:

  • follow the link to your choice of course at https://ica-uk.org.uk/courses/
  • enter the promo code NewYear24 when registering
  • register before Monday 8 January at 12 noon

But remember, places are limited so do not delay!

Why ICA’s ‘Technology of Participation’ (ToP) facilitation training?

93% of participants rated Group Facilitation Methods 8/10 or higher

Comments from participants’ end-of-course evaluations included:

  • brilliant – a must-do if you want better, more effective meetings
  • provides two practical, easy-to-use methods to discover deep insights from diverse groups – useful tools for any group, organisation or community
  • benefits for experienced facilitator and novice alike
  • worth every penny – excellent content & great presentation

“Successful meetings are key to our internal and external successes. Many of our staff mentioned this training as a highlight in their end of year reviews – several said it was the most useful training they had ever attended.”

Eve Geddie

Find out what Group Facilitation Methods could do for you.

Download our course brochure here

Coming soon:

Focused Conversation
DUBLIN, 25 January
with Miriam O’DonoghueIntroducing one of the foundations of the ToP approach, a powerful technique for structuring effective conversations.		 Group Facilitation Methods
DUBLIN, 25-26 January
with Miriam O’DonoghueIntroducing the foundations of the ToP approach, two powerful techniques for structuring effective conversations and building group consensus.
Group Facilitation Methods
ONLINE, 29-31 January
with Megan Evans & Dawn WilliamsIntroducing the foundations of the ToP approach, two powerful techniques for structuring effective conversations and building group consensus.		 Taking ToP Methods Online,
ONLINE, 15 Feb
with Alan HeckmanAdapting ICA’s ToP facilitation methods for the online world.
Group Facilitation Methods
LONDON, 20-21 Feb
with Martin GilbraithIntroducing the foundations of the ToP approach, two powerful techniques for structuring effective conversations and building group consensus.		 Action Planning
LONDON, 22 Feb
with Martin GilbraithParticipatory planning for short-term projects and events.

Also coming soon:

See the full 2024 schedule at https://ica-uk.org.uk/courses/

Looking for something else, tailored or in-house?

Let us come to you to meet your particular goals

Maximise your benefit from our training by letting us come to you, to meet your particular learning goals:

If your organisation or group needs a facilitator, or if you need support in designing and delivering a workshop, meeting or conference:

Meet Our Team, and Contact me!

Have you got your Sticky Wall yet?

ICA:UK Sticky Walls are a great visual tool for facilitators, group leaders and trainers. They are light, portable and can be used anywhere. Arrange and reposition ideas easily to inspire idea generation and encourage group involvement.

Buy now

See also about me, how I work, who I work with and recommendations & case studies, and please contact me about how we might work together.

Register now in Eventbrite for my own upcoming public courses in London & elsewhere and see ICA:UK for additional courses offered by fellow ICA:UK Associates online and elsewhere.

To arrange an in-house or partnership course for your group, see ToP facilitation training at your place – and free places for you! and please contact me.