Does your group need help making good decisions? Whether your organization is large or small, public or private, simple or complex, making good group decisions is critical. Bad meetings and fumbled processes waste time and cost money. With practical tips, timeless principles, and pitch-perfect stories in this definitive book, Craig Freshley shares the essentials that groups of all sizes need to make good decisions with lasting benefits. This friendly, practical, and authoritative guide from a veteran facilitator is a must-have for groups or individuals who want to work on consensus and collaborative decision-making skills. Non-profit leaders, board members, and senior staff—where there's often a high expectation of collaboration—and corporate leaders with an inclusive mindset, will find this hook especially valuable. Topics include: Efficient and productive meetings - Attitudes that help and hinder group productivity - Group decision making steps, from idea to decision to action - The role of group culture - How to listen well and speak with purpose - Conflict prevention, management, and resolution - Facilitative leadership - When to apply which type of decision-making method - Meeting facilitation theory and techniques Freshley’s message is especially pertinent to today’s world. It’s through collaboration, not competition, that groups of the future will create, innovate, and thrive. Group collaboration is a skill that can be successfully learned and practiced—Freshley shows groups how. A good read from cover to cover. A great reference, fully indexed. A perfect gift for any collaborative leader. “Freshley’s approach is as much inspiring as it is thought-provoking. An engaging and informative read, Together We Decide is not just for leaders and managers, but for any individual who has a desire to contribute positively to their group, community, or team.” —PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BOOKLIFE "I serve in leadership positions in several organizations, and I found Together We Decide invaluable. I know I will approach decision making in a different way after reading it. The author helps people think outside the normal group decision-making process with his simple, yet profound principles. Anyone who is a member of any group should read Freshley’s book. That includes even the smallest, most intimate groups, such as a family, and extends to larger and more diverse groups. I highly recommend it." —READERS’ FAVORITE "Packed with a wealth of inspiring ideas and practical information, taking readers step by step through methods to create good decisions, including five critical attitudes, specific practices and procedures, and ways to surmount disagreements." —KIRKUS INDIE "Together We Decide is an insightful social science book that balances practical and ideological advice for successful group decision-making. Freshley’s friendly voice, encouragement, and personal anecdotes make the text more approachable, elevating its sound, applicable wisdom." —FOREWORD CLARION "Terrific and uplifting. There is a great deal of practical wisdom here for working within an organization of any size. Even better, the book helps you understand the attitudes you and others need to carry into decision-making.” — DOUG BENNETT, President Emeritus, Earlham College “Craig Freshley’s book offers insights for group facilitators and urges us to remember that investing in collaborative approaches is investing in our shared future.” —DAVID PLUMB, Senior Mediator, Consensus Building Institute “The tools in this book have helped us solve many business challenges from better meetings to strategic direction to break-through innovations. Craig’s techniques have absolutely increased our productivity and efficiency.” —STEVE COTE, President, Chalmers Insurance Group “This book is a gem for college and graduate students. It’s perfect for coursework in business, organizational development, and communication.” —JIM MARTIN, Editor, Ernst Klett Verlag GmbH “Full of perennial wisdom on good human relations, spiced with stories and personal examples, Craig’s real-life experience with communities, nonprofits, businesses, and governments makes the book highly relevant to a wide range of people.” —KAVANA TREE BRESSEN, Professional Group Facilitator and Community Builder “There’s great guidance here for elected officials of all types at all levels. We hire Craig because he brings us the stuff in this book. His tips and methods—now explained for all to benefit—have helped us make good decisions over and over.” —DEQA A. DHALAC, Mayor, South Portland, Maine “Craig's new book, Together We Decide, is chock full of practical advice, peppered with specific examples to ground his concepts. At its best, the infectious undercurrent of his book goes beyond the title. Together we can not only decide—we can make a positive difference in a world starving for connection and inclusion." —LAIRD SCHAUB, Community Networker & Group Process Consultant Craig Freshley is a