Conversations Worth Having for Library Workers (Online Workshop)

Description

Course Modules
Online using Zoom

June 12, 2024, 1:00 – 4:00 pm

Module 1
The Power of Conversation: Understand the nature of our conversations, how they affect human being and doing, and develop your ability to choose.

Module 2
The Art of Asking Questions: Understand the basics of Appreciative Inquiry and improve your ability to ask generative questions to foster effective communication.

June 13, 2024, 1:00 – 4:00 pm

Module 3
Intentional Framing: Use positive framing to intentionally foster effective communication and continue to develop your ability to ask generative questions.

Module 4
Step up to Feedback: Develop the skill and the motivation to routinely seek out feedback and promptly provide effective feedback, even in the most critical of situations.

Online Workshop Expectations

Online workshops are designed to mimic the real-time, hands-on engagement of an in-person workshop.

• Online workshops require real-time attendance; no recordings will be made of these sessions.
• Online workshops are highly interactive and feature group discussions, breakout sessions, and collaborative exercises. Attendees should have access to a microphone (or headset) and a camera to participate most fully.
• Online workshops are in-depth training sessions that focus on practical projects and real-world skills. Attendees will be asked to complete brief readings and assignments before and between workshop sessions (if part of a series).

Course Description

Conversations are at the heart of everything we do in libraries. They are key to effective communications, leadership, high performing teams, and strong relationships. We all know that they influence us, but we rarely stop to think about how much they affect our well-being and other as well as the health of our libraries and communities. Our conversations directly influence our present moment and possible futures. Are you having Conversations Worth Having?

Communication. It remains one of the top challenges for organizations, teams, and relationships. Almost everyone struggles with how to effectively communicate when they are frustrated or facing conflict. They show up in libraries as:

• Employee disengagement, malaise, and turnover
• Dysfunctional teams, boards or committees
• Inability to give and receive feedback
• Negative attitudes, cliques, and gossip; a culture of “me”

If you’re dealing with any of these outcomes, Conversations Worth Having for Library Workers will give you the skills and tools to turn them around. This course is grounded in Appreciative Inquiry, a widely used positive change approach. Two simple Appreciative Inquiry practices can spark meaningful connections, ignite creativity, and empower library leaders at any level to make a difference.

This highly experiential course is built upon Berrett Kohler’s bestseller, Conversations Worth Having: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement by Cheri Torres and Jackie Stavros.

https://conversationsworthhaving.today/

Course Outcomes

Attendees to this series of online events will walk away prepared to:

• Keep your cool when you want to explode!
• Effectively challenge assumptions and preconceptions, including yours.
• Deal with conflict quickly and effectively.
• Fuel productive and meaningful engagement.
• Communicate successfully with people who hold negative attitudes or defensive positions.
• Give and receive critical feedback in ways that promote learning and high performance.
• Ask the kind of questions that deepen understanding, strengthen connections, and inspire possibility.
• Talk to colleagues in ways that invite them to collaborate on projects and strategic outcomes.
• Listen with genuine curiosity.
• Frame any conversation, even one around a highly complex problem, to inspire creative and innovative thinking.

Pre-reading:
It is recommended that participants read the book “Conversations Worth Having: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement” by Jacqueline Stavros and Cheri Torres prior to attending this event. This book is available for purchase from your favorite book seller or to borrow from your local library.

Pre-work:
Please complete the very short pre-course questionnaire by June 7, 2024.  https://forms.office.com/r/F36kkAzm5e