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 Co.