Standing in the Fire
Leading High-Heat Meetings with Calm, Clarity, and Courage
By: Larry Dressler
Published: March 2010
Format: Paperback, 216pp
ISBN-13: 9781576759707
ISBN-10: 1576759709
Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers
"Without passion, conviction, and yearning, there would be no human fire. And without fire, groups would produce little of interest or positive impact. We need fire to progress, but we also need to help people channel its heat", writes corporate facilitator Larry Dressler, in his brilliant and insightful book Standing in the Fire: Leading High-Heat Meetings with Calm, Clarity, and Courage. The author describes with sensitivity how a leader must be prepared to stand in the heat of the fire to achieve positive outcomes from meetings and from group interaction.
Larry Dressler moves beyond the obvious concept of offering certain techniques to apply in various situations. Instead of the usual how to systems of meeting management, the author presents the insight that knowledge and techniques are only as effective as the person offering them to the group. Larry Dressler recognizes that effective facilitators must understand who they are themselves, before they can provide guidance to a meeting or group gathering. Without that self-awareness, the facilitator will not be able to stand in the heated atmosphere of a meeting, or achieve positive results from channeling that emotional energy. Since every person possesses different emotions and attitudes at different times, the ability to cultivate what Larry Dressler calls the six stances, are critical for making the right decision at the appropriate moment.
Larry Dressler (photo left) understands the power of fire, and its ability to be both destructive on the one hand, and highly creative on the other. As a result, the author believes that a leader should become what he calls a fire tender, rather than a fire suppressor. The former utilizes the power and passion of the fire's heat to achieve creative and effective solutions. The latter attempts to do something, or anything at all, to demonstrate action regardless of outcome. Instead of following the urge to do something, Larry Dressler believes a person has the choice of which of the characteristic traits shows up at that moment. Instead of taking disastrous action, a fire tender brings forth the creative, idea generating force of the group's fire.
For me, the power of the book is how Larry Dressler demonstrates that tactics and techniques are of little value if the facilitator lacks self-awareness. The author breaks the book into three important sections, that are integrated into the holistic idea of understanding fire, learning and practicing the six ways of standing, and knowing oneself through personal practices and introspection. Each of the chapters within the three major sections examines the critical principles ranging from knowing the power of fire and the importance a fire tender, to learning the emotional, mental, and physical aspects of becoming a fire tender, to learning and practicing the inner virtues that enhance our inner capacities.
I highly recommend the landmark book Standing in the Fire: Leading High-Heat Meetings with Calm, Clarity, and Courage by Larry Dressler, to anyone seeking to improve their leadership in the act of convening and facilitating meetings and groups of people. The book doesn't offer tactics and techniques for given circumstances. Instead, the author focuses on learning the power of fire, and of practicing the inner journey to understanding oneself. Through that practice and self-awareness, a facilitator can gain wisdom and become an effective fire tender.
Read the essential book Standing in the Fire: Leading High-Heat Meetings with Calm, Clarity, and Courage by Larry Dressler, and discover the creative power that arises from the heat generated in fiery meetings. Through self-examination, and following the six ways of standing, a facilitator will seek out those hot spots, and bring forth creative and constructive results. The book will turn ordinary leaders into true fire tenders, through wisdom and self-awareness.
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