Conversations in Practice - Purpose, Style and Authenticity

This On Demand resource is about listening, thinking and talking, and how these essential skills are used in conversation. 

Unapologetically philosophical, it invites participants to consider the complexity of conversations, the assumptions we make about them and their power to transform our thinking, wellbeing and relationships.

Description

Dialogue is often the foundation for understanding and human connections that can result in learning and personal development, trust and confidence, and motivation to change.

In practice, there is rarely time to reflect on the big questions. Here are some of the big questions this webinar will explore in relation to conversations:

• Do we acknowledge and respect the power imbalance between us and those we serve?
• Do we believe we can see through someone else's eyes?
• Who do we bring to conversations - our title and authority or our whole ourselves?
• Is it possible to separate the personal and professional, and are there personal costs in trying to do this?
• What does honesty and integrity sound and feel like?
• How much care do we take when we choose our words and the way we frame our questions and answers?
• Do we think carefully about the assumptions and contradictions in what we say?
• Do our words reflect our values and our actions?
• Do we feel like it's okay to show our vulnerabilities and not to have clear answers?

In light of exploring these fundamental questions, we will be challenged to reflect on the art of conversation and its place in our practice.

We'll explore whether philosophy and styles like motivational interviewing can help us to develop critical conversation skills and how that can impact on our practice, our wellbeing and the wellbeing of those we are in conversation with.

Expect to question whether conversation skills are appropriately valued in our practice and feel motivated to be more proactive and intentional about developing your listening, thinking and speaking skills. There's a lot at stake if we don't do this well and we can help people to change their lives for the better when we do.

These resources will help you:

• Critically reflect on the importance of conversations and the value placed on them in our practice
• Develop a broader understanding of the impact well-developed conversation skills can have on our own wellbeing, our ability to motivate positive change and the wellbeing of those we are in conversation with
• Critically examine the assumptions that we bring to conversations and reflect on what they mean for our ability to be authentic and present with other people
• Feel motivated to be more proactive and intentional about developing your listening, thinking and speaking skills

Bonus content

Sam Newman on how conversations can transform thinking and practice

In this conversation between Sarah Leon and Sam Newman, Sam explains the thinking behind The Three Conversations® approach and shares insight into how it fundamentally changes practice and how practitioners experience their work differently as a result. They discuss the personal costs of prioritising our professional selves over bringing our whole selves, the power of storytelling, the importance of listening and focusing on doing what is 'right' and practising in line with your values and ethics. Watch or listen

Further reading