"The last thing a principal needs is more stress! This book helps build skills that will ensure that challenging conversations go the way they should-toward resolution and peace." -Beth Madison, Principal George Middle School, Portland, Oregon Direct difficult discussions toward successful outcomes every time! For every principal who has ever wished for a quick reference guide to keeping challenging conversations on course, the ideal tool is here! Inside are all the skills you need for navigating high-stakes interactions with staff, parents, students, and district leaders, and steering them toward win-win solutions. Case studies throughout the book identify the risk areas and provide the steps to mastering techniques for Active listening Assertive communication Providing effective feedback Staying calm Problem solving Mediation Also included are scripts, sample dialogues, style inventories, checklists, and resources for practicing skills learned from the case studies. Like having a communications coach in your back pocket, this guide gives tips for building a collaborative culture focused on what matters most-working together to achieve student success.
Acknowledgments Preface The Goal- Meeting the Challenge Organization of the Book and Special Features Who Will Benefit? 1. Introduction - Dimensions of Challenging Conversations What is a Challenging Conversation? Chat, Challenge and Crisis Challenging Conversations - Sources of Challenge Factors That Determine a Challenging Conversation Crisis or Challenge You, Your Community and Challenging Conversations Challenging Conversations - Core Concepts Power and Influence Why Have Challenging Conversations - Some Good Reasons to Talk Why We Avoid Challenging Conversations Challenging Conversations and a Collaborative School Culture Summary Book Study Questions Case Study Practice - The Principal and the Bully Your Personal Case Study 2. Engaging in Challenging Conversations A Framework for Conversations That Matter Engaging in Challenging Conversations - Principles Engaging in Challenging Conversations - The Critical Path Summary Book Study Questions Case Study Practice - Cleaning Up Your Personal Case Study - First Reflection 3. Listening for Meaning Why Should We Listen? The Case for Active Listening Active Listening Non-Verbal Communication Reframing Summary Book Study Questions Case Study Practice Your Personal Case Study - Second Reflection 4. Providing Effective Feedback Elements of Effective Feedback Barriers to Providing Effective Feedback Summary Book Study Questions Case Study Practice Your Personal Case Study - Third Reflection 5. Being Assertive "Be hard on the problem, soft on the people" Being Assertive- Techniques Summary Book Study Questions Case Study Practice Your Personal Case Study - Fourth Reflection 6. Managing Anger: Yours and Theirs What Bugs Me? - Different Things Bother Different People Differently at Different Times Some Approaches to Anger Summary Book Study Questions Case Study Practice Your Personal Case Study - Fifth Reflection 7. How Do You Respond to Challenging Conversations? Your Conversational/Conflict Style - Who are You? Conversational Strategies - Choices that We Can Make Factors that Affect Strategy Choice Summary Book Study Questions Case Study Practice Your Personal Case Study - Final Reflection 8. The School Leader as Mediator - Facilitating the Conversations of Others Why Get Involved? The Mediation Process - Facilitating Conversations Pre-Mediation The Opening Phase Resolution Phase Closing Phase The Promise of Mediation Summary Book Study Questions Case Study Practice Afterword Summary - Key Concepts to Remember References and Suggested Readings Resources Index
"The last thing a principal needs is more stress! The contents of this book will help build skills that will ensure that challenging conversations go the way they should-toward resolution and peace." -- Beth Madison, Principal "This work will contribute to future administrators' success as they learn effective communication strategies for handling daily challenges and difficult situations." -- Catherine Alaimo Stickney, Curriculum Coordinator
