The Art of Focused Conversation, Second Edition

Preface How this Book and Update Came to Be Attributions and Gratitude Introduction: Origins of the Method Part 1: Theory and Practice    Ch. 1. Why Do Organizations Need Conversations?    Ch. 2. Focused Conversation Method Overview    Ch. 3. Underlying Structure of the Focused Conversation Method    Ch. 4. How Science Supports Focused Conversations    Ch. 5. Preparing a Conversation from Scratch    Ch. 6. Leading a Conversation    Ch. 7. Troubleshooting – Common Problems and Suggested Solutions Part 2: Sample Conversations Introduction to the Sample Conversations Section A. Preparing and Planning    A1. Preparing a short presentation    A2. Getting input into writing a response to a book or article    A3. Preparing a group to write a progress report or status update    A4. Preparing a strategic presentation on a new product.    A5. Assessing marketplace trends    A6. Preparing for the impact of government regulations on a product    A7. Planning an organizational community of practice    A8. Preparing the agenda for a meeting    A9. Identifying key themes to be discussed at a subsequent meeting    A10. Establishing priority of topics to be discussed    A11. Planning an event    A12. Working on a promotional piece    A13. Selecting a theme for an upcoming conference    A14. Preparing a symbol and slogan for a public campaign    A15. Designing new customer service procedures    A16. Preparing for strategic planning (through reflection)    A17. Focusing a group on a shared problem    A18. Introducing a new training topic    A19. Assembling a budget    A20. Redesigning office space    A21. Organizing an in-house special interest group Section B. Making Decisions    B1. Deciding work priorities    B2. Determining program priorities    B3. Developing terms of reference for a major project evaluation.    B4. Discussing a staff response to a consultant report    B5. Implementing a new board policy    B6. Reworking office operating guidelines    B7. Making assignments within a team    B8. Deciding on a trade show strategy    B9. Reframing a team's mission    B10. Helping a workmate think through a decision    B11. Breaking up a decisional logjam in a group    B12. Dealing with work environment issues    B13. Identifying gaps between a future state and a current state. Section C. Managing and Supervising    C1. Canvassing employees    C2. Reviewing a work description    C3. Interviewing a job applicant    C4. Conducting a performance appraisal    C5. New managers' reflection on their leadership roles    C6. Musing on a frustrating meeting    C7. Reflecting on a chaotic meeting    C8. Creating participation guidelines    C9. Dealing with delegation issues    C10. Interpreting a shop-floor grievance    C11. Discussing an unexpected and disruptive impact    C12. Discussing staff dissatisfaction    C13. Naming market influences    C14. Analyzing sales statistics    C15. Highlighting the comparative profile of the firm    C16. Reflecting on a transition    C17. Assessing the impact of a training experience    C18. Building phased timeline for a restructuring project    C19. Reflecting on organizational change    C20. Analyzing budget performance    C21. Troubleshooting a stalled project    C22. Collaborating on a supply program    C23. Reflecting on a proposal for departmental reorganization    C24. Reflecting on a recent decision Section D. Evaluating and Reviewing    D1. Reviewing a workshop    D2. Reviewing the day with a group    D3. Reviewing a planning event    D4. Reviewing the year    D5. Reviewing an organization's past    D6. Reviewing a consultant's presentation    D7: Reviewing a major report    D8. Understanding the ongoing effects of a major event on individuals    D9. Discussing an article    D10. Evaluating a proposal    D11. Evaluating a course    D12. Evaluating a curriculum    D13. Evaluating the progress of a project, or conducting a lessons learned    D14. Evaluating a marketing campaign    D15. Analyzing a product that failed to sell    D16. Evaluating a service offering    D17. Evaluating a new software package    D18. Evaluating a conference    D19. Understanding and applying expert recommendations    D20. Evaluating the impact of world events Section E. Coaching and Mentoring    E1. Coaching a colleague    E2. Talking through a job description    E3. Mentoring a new employee    E4. Holding an employee to account    E5. Discussing a set of employee guidelines    E6. Reflecting on evaluations with instructors    E7. Meditating on a difficult situation    E8. Mentoring a staff person about a family crisis affecting work #1    E9. Mentoring a staff person about a family crisis affecting work #2    E10. Processing a traumatic event with an employee    E11.Inspiring the team with a story    E12. Debriefing a training video    E13. Creating a practice of journaling    E14. Reflecting on one's life journey    E15. Planning for personal growth Section F. Supporting Diversity and Belonging    F1. Assessing the diversity of the organization    F2. Reviewing policies to strengthen diversity, equity and inclusion    F3. Planning for internationally trained workers    F4. Determining accommodation needs    F5. Manager's reflection on an employee's challenge    F6. Reflecting on a belittling (derogatory) experience    F7. Support after derogatory comments    F8. Becoming aware of micro-aggressions    F9. Uncovering unconscious bias Section G. Resolving Conflict    G1. Resolving a personal conflict    G2. Personal reflection on a conflict    G3. Responding to a personal complaint    G4. Calming an upset customer    G5. Initiating dialogue to understand a conflict    G6. Resolving a dispute    G7. Solving a team conflict    G8. Resolving a long-term misunderstanding Section H. Guiding Personal and Celebrative Reflections    H1. Reflecting on the day    H2. Learning from a life event    H3. Facilitators' internal reflection while leading a group    H4. Appraising an additional assignment    H5. Reflecting on a request to take on a new assignment    H6. Celebrating a great victory    H7. Interviewing the employee of the month    H8. Celebrating a colleague's birthday    H9. Celebrating a retirement: conversation with the individual    H10. Celebrating a retirement: group reflection Section I. Connecting Work and Life    I1. The after-school conversation    I2. Re-entry after a learning event    I3. Internal reflection in a crisis    I4. Resolving a family dispute    I5. Processing a traumatic event with family Appendices    Appendix 1. Possible Tangible Beginning Points    Appendix 2. Sample Questions at Each Level    Appendix 3. Visuals of the Flow of a Focused Conversation    Appendix 4. Guide for Preparing a Conversation    Appendix 5. Conversation Planning Worksheet    Appendix 6. Example: A Plan using the Worksheet    Appendix 7. Example: A Conversation with Typical Answers    Appendix 8. Leading an Informal Conversation    Appendix 9. Using Focused Conversation Method with Other ToP methods    Appendix 10. Introduction to Image Change    Appendix 11. Sample of Other Methods that Follow ORID Index Bibliography About ICA