DC Area OD Practitioners Community of Practice    

Topic:  The Focused Conversation Method - Reclaiming Conversations in Diverse Stakeholder Groups

Session Description:  Given the growing awareness of the uncertainties in our daily lives, now more than ever it is important to think about how we converse with groups and one-on-one settings that will increase critical thinking and decrease our reactionary tendencies. In this workshop, Elaine Dearing will be combining training from Technology of Participation (Top) Focused Conversation Method (ORID) and Carl Roger’s Client Centered active listening and reflective processes that will allow important conversations to take place. The Focused conversation leads to clarity in group based decisions that respect diverse perspectives, create understanding in the resolve, and inspire individual and group action toward the next step of consensus making. Individual participation is honored by focusing on the feelings of the individual in their thought process.

Participants will learn how to:

• Gain clarity in large group conversation
  
• Coordinate stakeholders of different perspectives
  
• Use inquiry and active listening techniques
  

Participants will gain:

• Creative ways to de-escalate charged communication topics
  
• Unique processes that can be tailored to the individual and group level 
  
• Infusion of responsibility spread out in the group
  
• Integration of rational and intuitive thinking.

Presenter:  Elaine Dearing is an organization development consultant with over ten years in the field with a Master’s of Science in Organization Development from American University, Cohort 66. Currently, she is in the process of becoming a Certified Technology of Participation (ToP) Facilitator and Qualified Trainer for the DC Metro Area and pursuing a degree in psychology. She utilizes the ToP Focused, Consensus, Action Planning, and Strategic Planning Workshops across several industries including the private, non-profit and federal government. She demonstrates these facilitation processes with large and small groups to obtain goal formation and ensure leadership development at all levels within organizations.  

CoP Leader:  Mark Sachs, ma.sachs@verizon.net.

Cancellation policy: Registrants should contact Mark if they need to cancel.

Additional notes:  A $5.00 per person contribution is requested to help pay for rental of the room.