Thrive: The Facilitator’s Guide to Radically Inclusive Meetings by Dr. Mark Smutny | Book & 1 Hour Consult Giveaway & Spotlight
A book blog tour from iRead Book Tours.
Thank you to the author, publisher, & Lauren at iRead for providing me with the information for this tour. 
Book Details
Thrive: The Facilitator’s Guide to Radically Inclusive Meetings by Mark Smutny Published by Emerald Lake Books on 10/12/2021
Genres: Educational, Non-fiction
Format: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 262
Imagine meetings where everyone is heard and all people matter. Picture organizations that embrace all voices and are committed to justice, equity, and opportunity. Imagine businesses, nonprofits, and the public sector creatively engaging people in thousands of ways—seeking their best ideas, empowering the silenced, and building communities where all are treated with dignity and respect.
That’s what "Thrive" seeks to create.
Each chapter contains practical insights and accessible stories that transform meetings from dull to dynamic.
You will learn how to
:•capitalize on diversity's strengths.
•keep meetings task-oriented and collegial.
•facilitate effectively in polarized or conflicted settings."Thrive" includes chapters on privilege and power, multilingual meetings, and full inclusion of persons with disabilities.
Whether you are a skilled practitioner or new to leadership, Thrive will teach you techniques for facilitating more effective, inclusive, and energizing meetings.
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Book Trailer
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Purchase Links for Thrive
Waterstones The Book Depository
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About Mark Smutny
Mark Smutny is a professional facilitator, DEI specialist, workshop leader, author, and founder of Civic Reinventions, Inc. He is known for helping businesses and nonprofits uncover the wisdom hidden in their diversity, build engagement, and increase productivity and mission success.
He draws upon decades of work planning and leading retreats and workshops, facilitating conferences and summits, public speaking, and crafting strategic plans.
He is a skilled practitioner of inclusive meeting practices including Liberating Structures, World Cafe, Open Space Technology, Future Search, and faith-based approaches to strategic change. He has worked in nonprofit transportation services, homeless and affordable housing services, organizing business and resident associations, and in faith-based groups. His doctorate focused on practices for building faith-based organizations that embrace diversity and inclusion. He received his Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School and is an ordained Presbyterian pastor in the progressive Protestant tradition.
He is the author of Thrive: The Facilitator’s Guide to Radically Inclusive Meetings, 2nd ed., a book that describes powerful tools and techniques to help organizations embrace all voices for greater productivity and mission fulfillment.
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Author Interview
What made you write about inclusive meetings?
I wrote Thrive because I’ve sat in zillions of meetings and in many of them been bored out of my mind. A few people dominated while most remained silent. I wanted to share insights accumulated over a lifetime about how to facilitate meetings marked by energy, creativity, and the engagement of everyone.
There are many books out there about diversity and inclusion, what makes yours different?
Books on diversity, equity, and inclusion have mushroomed in response to the Black Lives Matter movement and other racial justice initiatives. Most address topics such as how to recognize unconscious bias, stereotypes, and system racism. Others describe how to have honest conversations about difficult topics in polarized times. My unique focus is on inclusive meetings—the landscape in which we live a good portion of our organizational lives.
You are a white, straight, privileged man. What makes you think you can be an expert on diversity and
inclusion?
I am not an expert on diversity and inclusion, especially when it concerns race. I am still learning to be more empathic. I do have a passionate commitment to social justice. I am an expert on how to design and lead meetings that are fun, productive, and inclusive.
Who are you writing for?
I want to help young and mid-career nonprofit leaders who spend a huge portion of their lives in meetings. My hope is to introduce them to principles and practices that transform meetings from dull to dynamic and inclusive.
Do you have another profession besides writing?
I am an Independent Professional Consultant. My consulting business, Civic Reinventions, helps nonprofits by facilitating their strategic plans with an emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion. I also facilitate annual planning retreats. I am developing a series of webinars on inclusive meeting practices that will launch in 2022. I am also a Presbyterian minister.
What is your next wring project?
I am hip-deep in researching and writing a book on inclusive leadership practices for nonprofit leaders.
How do you recharge?
I have two, high-energy Brittany Spaniel dogs that must get aggressive, off-leash exercise every day. I tether them to my mountain bike and off we go like Huskies pulling a sled in Alaska. The neighborhood children see us tooling along at 15 miles per hour and call out “I love your dogs!” The exercise clears my brain and I get a big dose of joy in my heart.
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I read as many books as possible through the Amazon Kindle Unlimited program.
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Giveaway!
Enter to win a signed copy of THRIVE: The Facilitator’s Guide to Radically Inclusive Meetings by Dr. Mark Smutny. Plus ONE HOUR FREE CONSULTATION with Dr. Mark Smutny (1 winner/USA only) (ends Nov 26)
Thrive: The Facilitator’s Guide to Radically Inclusive Meetings Book Tour Giveaway
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Purchase Thrive online from a local book store.
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