Standing in the Fire: Leading High-Heat Meetings with Clarity, Calm, and Courage

This book is intended for anyone who considers themselves a convener and who often finds themselves in the midst of heated discussion. It is divided into three sections: the first describes the nature of high-heat situations and what it takes to facilitate effectively, the second describes six ways of standing in the fire that are interconnected and occur simultaneously, and the third outlines practices that conveners can use to deepen their abilities to implement the six ways of standing in the fire. Throughout the book, the reader is encouraged to reflect on their own practice and choose areas to strengthen. For practitioners of this kind of work, it's a great resource to revisit repeatedly for long-term professional development.

This book is for OD professionals, facilitators, leaders and other who find themselves seeking to work in the group context. It details how one can deal with anger, resentment, high tension and other issues that often take us by surprise. This is not a book about presentations; it is a book about behavioral issues related to working with groups. Dressler tells us how to such things as how to deal with personal “hot buttons” and how to get along when things don’t go as “planned.” The book can be repetitious. A lot is borrowed from “self help books” and pop-like psychology. However, the book affirmed methods that I have had to learn the hard way through trial and error. It is a book anyone working with groups might find helpful and informative. Well read by John Pruden.