Thinking Out Loud

Let’s Not Forget

The first Evolution of Psychotherapy conference was in Phoenix, 1985. I was eager to attend and previously had never been to a major conference. I bought some decent luggage from Lands End to help me feel like I belonged at what sounded like a lofty event.

People like Carl Rogers, Carl Whittaker, and James Masterson would be there, sharing their experience and wisdom. To be in the same room with folks of their stature was intimidating and an honor.  Read More

Communication Styles in the Workplace–A Workshop

On Thursday, May 19th, I’ll be in Lewiston, Maine conducting a workshop for the Maine Association of Nonprofits. This is a terrific organization, providing a wide range of resources to the non-profit community.  One of their primary objectives is to bring better business practices to non-profits, without losing the essence of who they are and what they do.  Maine has a very large non-profit sector.  The following gives an overview of what I’ll be offering.

Description:

Collaboration, creativity, and communication are necessary ingredients in a highly productive and harmonious work environment. The Communication Styles Framework developed by Robert V. Keteyian offers a structure to identify strengths and challenges, as well as a pathway to problem-solving and team-building.

You Will:

  • Discover your communication style strengths
  • Identify how those strengths can serve as obstacles
  • Develop specific tools to achieve understanding
  • Discover new pathways to collaboration

Restorative Practices In Education

I’ll be at Mouth Desert Island High School in Maine tomorrow giving a workshop to the faculty (about 70 educators).  We’ll be focusing on communication styles and conflict resolution to support their restorative practices initiative.  This is a very forward thinking school, looking beyond the traditional model of discipline, as they focus on building community, individual responsibility, and accountability.  I have a long history of working with this organization and admire their high standards and humanistic approach to education.

Thinking…_________!

 

Leaders and teams are constantly challenged by clients, customers, and themselves to think from several different angles:

  • Strategic
  • Creative
  • Collaborative
  • Innovative
  • Critical
  • Entrepreneurial
  • Design

Go to the dictionary, Google, or the gurus who stand as prime examples illustrating the desired thinking and you’ll likely be inspired to think differently—or think you should be. But what does it all mean? Are there some common denominators? Read More