⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Art of Gathering by Parker
| Full Title | The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Authors | Priya Parker |
| Year Published | 2018 |
| Date Read | July 15, 2022 |
| Rating | 4/5 stars |
Really great book. Not only has it changed the way that I think about how I’d like to host my own events, I think just as importantly it has really put how I perceive others’ efforts for events I attend in a new light. For example, many events that bring people together that may be essentially strangers use “icebreakers” and equivalent tools to try to create bonds between attendees. My prior perception of these kinds of events was pretty cynical, and typically I wouldn’t necessarily participate fully.
Parker helped me understand that these are just portions of the larger event, and if they go poorly (for example, if a big enough proportion of participants don’t buy-in), it may put the entirety of the experience at risk. We cannot simply isolate a pre-conference dinner from the conference itself, or a scavenger hunt portion of a team off-site from the talks that surround it.
It also helped me understand that not all people are welcome at all events. My mental model
previously was that, hey, why not invite this friend or that significant other. However, the specific participants of an event are probably the most important factor that determines how the event itself goes. We must take care to select this grouping carefully, lest we lose our control over where the event is going.
Had to really go back-and-forth between 4 and 5 stars. Highly recommended.