Team Spirit is a hands-on guide to designing and leading team gatherings that are intentional, energizing, and effective. Drawing on years of experience as a facilitator and coach, Antonia Milkop shares practical tools, personal stories, and easy-to-apply frameworks that help managers and facilitators rethink the way teams come together. The book introduces the “3 Ps”—Purpose, Planning, and Presence—as the key ingredients for successful gatherings. Milkop structures her book with engaging metaphors, real-world examples, and repeatable templates (“Cookie Cutters”) that readers can pick up and run with.

I didn’t expect a book about meetings—well, “gatherings,” as Antonia wisely reframes them—to feel this fresh. But it is. Milkop writes like she’s right there in the room with you, rolling up her sleeves, helping you figure out what’s not working and why. Her voice is both warm and firm—like a good facilitator should be—and her practical wisdom feels earned, not theoretical. I loved the way she leaned into real examples, from clunky Zoom calls to stalled leadership retreats. I found myself nodding (and laughing) more than once. The metaphors—yes, even the cooking ones—actually helped. It’s a smart way to talk about structure without sounding stuffy.

What really struck me, though, was how this book made me feel. Inspired, mostly. Seen, a bit. It gave me a sense of permission to take more care in how I design the moments my team shares. Milkop doesn’t just want you to run better meetings—she wants you to build better teams. Her emphasis on rhythm, intention, and emotional presence is something that resonated with me. She reminds us that team culture is created one conversation at a time. The simplicity of her methods is deceptive—this is deep work. And it matters.

I’d recommend Team Spirit to anyone who leads, supports, or shows up for a team. Whether you’re managing your first group of interns or facilitating strategy sessions for execs, there’s something in here that will shift your perspective—and give you the tools to make real changes.

Pages: 184 | ASIN : B0D89PL3CZ