The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

"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.