Courageous Conversations

Courageous Conversations on NY Nonprofit Press

Our good friend and colleague, Matthea Marquart, has written on her New York Nonprofit Press blog about her experience participating in our free 30-minute Coffee Conversations.

Check it out.

"Have a blessed day"

Mary’s colleague, Sarah, finishes her phone calls by saying, "Have a blessed day." Sarah also includes bible passages and verses at the bottom of her email - you know, just below her signature and contact information. And these quotations change on a regular basis so Mary knows that Sarah is thinking about each quotation. Mary’s not completely sure these sayings and greetings are appropriate for the workplace - and for the non-Christian employees, customers and suppliers. Mary decides to say something to Sarah about these sayings and quotations. (19:00)

Click here to download as an MP3

Lessons Learned:

• Begin with a question - Goal is to engage in a dialogue. Get the other person talking too.
• Tread lightly / Go easy - This is a tricky, personal topic. Don't finger point or blame.
• Be personal - appropriately - The hard, personal thing to say in this conversation is, "Yes, I am concerned about the quotes."
• Avoid words like "defensive," "investigate" - Only makes the receiver more defensive

Download Lessons Learned

Courageous Conversations at ASTD-LA - 1/23/09, 8:30AM-12:30PM PT

Register at ASTD-LA

Training and OD initiatives and programs can be a tough sell these days. Leaders support them in theory, but in practice are concerned with day to day work and deliverables- which is what they get paid for.

Yet in every organization there are leaders who want to do something different. They want to produce greater results and don’t know how. They may even see that there is some connection between changing individual and team behavior and business results. These leaders are your potential champions and the key to successfully selling internal initiatives.

In this highly interactive workshop you will:

• Build a real-life action plan around your own training/OD initiative or program
• Understand how to locate your own champions and utilize "Pockets of Readiness”
• Learn the Courageous Conversations model for engaging leaders
• Understand the power of influence and how to use it
• Utilize the six steps of Influence Strategy
• Gain buy-in without CEO support

Who should attend?

• Any internal training or OD professional or leader who does not have all the success that they desire in selling initiatives and programs
• Anyone who meets resistance on a regular or irregular basis

When, Where, & How Much?
Date: Friday, January 23, 2009 Time: 8:30am to 12:30pm
Location: Phenomenex, 570 Madrid St., Torrance, CA 90501
Tuition: Early Bird: ASTD-LA Members: $79 • Non-members: $139 before January 16, 2009
After January 16: ASTD-LA Members: $109 • Non-members: $169.

Presented by: Marc Levine

Register at ASTD-LA