The Art of Gathering

How We Meet and Why It Matters

By: Priya Parker

Narrated by: Bernadette Dunne

"I learned much from this book. Priya Parker has created both an art and a science to gathering in ways that can bring joy and fulfillment to any meeting."—Deepak Chopra MD

"A long overdue and urgent manifesto.” —Seth Godin

"Hosts of all kinds, this is a must-read!" —Chris Anderson, owner and curator of TED

An exciting new approach to how we gather that will transform the ways we spend our time together—at home, at work, in our communities, and beyond.

In The Art of Gathering, Priya Parker argues that the gatherings in our lives are lackluster and unproductive—which they don't have to be. We rely too much on routine and the conventions of gatherings when we should focus on distinctiveness and the people involved. At a time when coming together is more important than ever, Parker sets forth a human-centered approach to gathering that will help everyone create meaningful, memorable experiences, large and small, for work and for play.

Drawing on her expertise as a facilitator of high-powered gatherings around the world, Parker takes us inside events of all kinds to show what works, what doesn't, and why. She investigates a wide array of gatherings—conferences, meetings, a courtroom, a flash-mob party, an Arab-Israeli summer camp—and explains how simple, specific changes can invigorate any group experience.

The result is a book that's both journey and guide, full of exciting ideas with real-world applications. The Art of Gathering will forever alter the way you look at your next meeting, industry conference, dinner party, and backyard barbecue—and how you host and attend them.

I am ready to practice the Art of Gathering!

I loved it as a companion to reading this in paperback! What I could not do it stop! I am a facilitator by career so this offered me so many tools that I am just going to throw it in my life toolbox & get to gathering!

what political organizers and more need to add to their meetings.

excellent content and performance. priya is wonderful and wise. read, practice, engage with design and heart.

So much opportunity discovered

From beginning to end I found the author painting color to every experience I have outlined. Within a few chapters I grasped the essence the material and was off to the races applying it to my meetings, and family gatherings. Recently we built a Casita and moved in my in-laws, my hope with a multigenerational home is to refine and strengthen the definition of family within a community and I see that being fulfilled in the way we gather. I'm time I hope to see our family unified in purpose and expanding our ability to make a difference in the community.

As a worship leader I especially found the content useful. In that context you are a host with a great responsibility and a strong purpose. In addition just as worship is important off stage as it is on stage, so too should emphasis be added to the title worship "leader." To me this puts a greater focus on your responsibility to your team, if you can raise them up and be intentional with your gatherings as a team (practice, fellowship, vision meetings, etc), they can all serve the congregation as leaders throughout your services.

I will be advocating this book to anyone who considers themselves a leader of people, as well as my family.

Wow, grateful for the inspiration!

I am a strong believer that it’s the small things that count in life at the end of the day.

this deep dive into gathering and being purposeful is Huge in the big picture of what so many of us take for granted ( especially in today’s Covid situation)

This is a gift that I will practice and hopefully make a difference by being intentional

One of my favorite books

A must read if you ever organize people, for anything. From work to dinner parties....this book is amazing.