Books to inspire your facilitation practice this winter

As the year begins to wind down, many facilitators look for ways to pause, recharge, and prepare for what’s ahead. Reading can be a powerful companion in that process, offering fresh perspectives, new ideas, and space for reflection.

As you may have seen, on our website we’ve curated a list of books covering facilitation skills, groups, teams, and supervision. We’ve just added three new titles to the list, and wanted to share them here as they speak directly to reflection and professional development:

• Robin Shohet (Ed.) (2024): Supervision as Spiritual Practice

This short (succinct) book shares a range of perspectives on the experience of supervision, reworking the seven-eyed model of supervision and bringing the experience of love and connection into the professional sphere.

• Steve Hearsum (2024): No Silver Bullet: Bursting the Bubble on the Organisational Quick Fix

Steve’s book describes the ‘myth of fixability’ and the dangers of espousing theories and selling solutions. Vitally, the relationship between change and feelings of shame, anxiety, fear are explored – for facilitators and group participants, as well as those who engage consultants.

• Steve Dilworth (2021): The Heart of Facilitation

This is an excellent addition to the facilitator toolkit, and one that we have bought to gift to others. There is a great focus on awareness and whilst also a generous sharing of core models and the practicalities of facilitation. The book is suitable for new and experienced facilitators alike, and has an invitation style that brings others alongside to explore and advance their own practice.

These selections are just a starting point. You’ll also find books on group dynamics, theories of change, facilitation techniques, and broader perspectives on facilitation practice in the full list on our website.

We hope these resources inspire you to carve out time for rest, reflection, and reading as we approach the end of the year, and return refreshed for 2026.

If you have any book recommendations that might interest our members, or reflections on the titles in our list that you’d like to share, do reach out – we’d love to hear from you.

Lastly, a reminder that we have our Virtual Catch Up on 18 November and the Habits and Patterns Learning Lab on 20 November – both great opportunities to connect with fellow facilitators and continue your learning journey. Find out more and book a place on our website, and please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions.