Presenter: Antonio Hernandez, Jr., M. Ed.

Skillful dialogue so free flow of meaning between two or more people can occur

Engaging inCourageous Conversations

• Making Connection to you• Setting intentions• Facilitated practice• Participant engagement• Reflection/Next Steps

Flow of Workshop Session

• I’ve been an Early Childhood Educator for 20 years.• Passionate about creating meaningful relationships through the

power of our words.• New transition into higher education to provide tools to the new

teacher work force coming into the profession.• Facilitating conversation protocols that impact organizational

improvement.

Making Connections

• Grounding in.• During the remainder of the session, we are going to:

• Stay present• Stay receptive• Stay brave.

Setting Intentions

• Listen with respect and interest• Speak with candor• No one’s comments will be challenged or argued• Thoughtful reflection on others’ responses is okay

Norms for Courageous Conversation Exercise

• What realizations became present for you?• What insight do you have now after participating in this type of

conversation?• In thinking about the specific role you hold in your organization, how

does this experience help?• How did your participation change your perspective on

communication and advocacy?

Guiding Question

• The facilitator will describe the process for a continuum dialogue• The facilitator and participants will do a practice round together.

• The facilitator states a question/topic and physically walking off the continuum, stating the two end preferences that mark the Continuum.

• Participants go and stand in the place that best represents their preference.• Meet up with participant who has a different preference than you.• Engage in dialogue

Facilitated Practice

1. Start with the Heart

• Focus on what you really want.

2. Learn to Look

• Look for when conversation becomes crucial. Track your body.

3. Make it Safe

• State empathy. Contrast to fix understanding.

Dialogue Process to Consider

4. Master Your Story(internal)

• Retrace your path.• Notice your

behavior.• Check emotional

pulse.• Wonder.• Get back to the

facts.

5. STATE Your Path(external)

• Share your facts.• Tell your story.• Ask for other’s

paths.• Talk tentatively.• Encourage

testing.

6. Explore Others’ Paths

• Ask• Mirror• Paraphrase• Prime

7. Move to Action

• Decide how you’ll decide.

• Come to an accordance

• Follow up

Dialogue Process to Consider (continued)

Patterson, Grenny, McMillan and Switzler, 2012, pp.214-216

• What realizations became present for you?• What insight do you have now after participating in this type of

conversation?• In thinking about the specific role you hold in your organization, how

does this experience help?• How did your participation change your perspective on

communication and advocacy?

Guiding Question

• Patterson, K., & Grenny, J., McMillan, R., Switzler, A. (2012). Crucial conversations: tools for talking when staking are high. (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.

• Scott, S. (2002). Fierce conversations: achieving success at work & in life, one conversation at a time. New York: Berkley Books.

• Stone, D., & Patton, B., Heen, S. (2010). Difficult Conversations: how to discuss what matters most. (10th anniversary ed.) New York: Penguin Books.

• National School Reform Faculty, www.nsrfharmony.org

References