Conversation Worth Having Forum
Online Training in Zoom
Thursday, February 20 and Friday, February 21
9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. both days
Conversation Forum is a full training in Conversations Worth Having (www.conversationsworthhaving.today). Conversation is a crucial part of everything we do. It influences our well-being – a good conversation can leave us ready for everything. A bad one can ruin our day. Using Appreciative Inquiry, Conversation Worth Having provides an approach to conversation that fosters life-giving change and releases potential for strengthened relationships.
Application: This training is open to 12 participants. All applicants will be notified whether they are accepted or on a waitlist for a future Conversation Forum training.
Registration Cost: $50.00 payable once accepted to the program (This fee is usually $749 USD, qualifies for Continuing Education and Learning Resources)
Registration Includes:
- Two 2.5 hour webinars, plus applied learning and practice
- Access to recorded webinar sessions (should you miss a session or wish to revisit content covered)
- Participant Handbook. One week prior to the training, Todd will email you an electronic version of the handbooks so that you can begin to skim the materials prior to the training
Though not necessary, Todd recommends you read Conversations Worth Having, 2nd ed. (by Jackie Stavros and Cheri Torres) Indigo; Penguin/Random House; Amazon
Application Form Here
Conversation Forum Overview:
Module 1: The Power of Conversation (Thursday, February 20)
PURPOSE: Understand how the nature of your conversations affects others, and recognize the importance of self- and other-awareness on your ability to be successful. Learn a strategy to support conscious awareness and the ability to choose how you communicate.
OBJECTIVES:
Experience the nature of your conversations and the effects they have on you and others.
Choose to be intentional with your conversations.
Use mindfulness tools to shift reactionary communication to deliberate conversation.
Module 2: The Art of Asking Questions (Thursday, February 20)
PURPOSE: Understand the basics of Appreciative Inquiry and improve your ability to ask generative questions to foster effective communication.
OBJECTIVES:
Experience the impact Appreciative Inquiry has on individual and organizational capacity.
Choose curiosity over knowing and assuming.
Use generative questions to shift the dynamics of personal and workplace communication problems.
Module 3: Intentional Framing (Friday, February 21)
PURPOSE: Use positive framing to intentionally foster effective communication and continue to develop your ability to ask generative questions.
OBJECTIVES:
Experience flipping negative conversations to conversations worth having.
Use flipping to frame workplace communication issues.
Develop generative questions to fuel productive and meaningful engagement around workplace challenges.
Module 4: Step Up to Feedback (Friday, February 21)
PURPOSE: Develop the skill and the motivation to routinely seek out feedback and promptly provide effective feedback, even in the most critical of situations.
OBJECTIVES:
Experience and choose to change feedback avoidance patterns.
Adopt a learning mindset to support openness and interest in feedback.
Use effective feedback strategies with common church situations.
Our Facilitator
Todd McDonald is a trainer for Conversation Worth Having, currently working towards his certification. Todd has served both Toronto Conference and Shining Waters Regional Council since 2009. Before serving the larger church, he was in pastoral ministry in both rural and urban church settings. Effective and life giving conversations have been at the center of his practice of ministry; sometimes successfully, many times not. Since becoming an Appreciative Inquiry facilitator, Todd has focused in on being a trainer for Conversations Worth Having. Todd said, “I know in my heart how important a good conversation is because good conversation deepens understanding and relationships. It pulls us together with purpose.” Todd sees himself helping others learn how to approach a tough conversation mindfully so that we can greet the Spirit and beauty in one another…and grow together.