Anne Bers
August 16, 2015
Most of us have been frustrated by a conversation that didn’t go well. Maybe we struggled to feel heard, were misunderstood or felt offended in some way. Perhaps it was the other person who had the bad experience with us and we’re still not quite sure what went wrong.
It turns out that good communication doesn’t have to be a mystery, and we can learn about the elements that contribute to having successful interactions. Think of it as a kind of collaboration that involves implicit agreements about give and take, respectful behavior and a willingness to work together toward mutual understanding. Once we take responsibility for our part of the collaboration, we can learn to ask for what we need from others.
Good communication involves a willingness to both speak our minds and listen with openness; it involves using our body language and tone of voice to send a positive message; and it avoids common pitfalls that can shut others down and stifle authentic sharing.
This interactive workshop is designed to help you:
· Learn about the elements of effective communication
· Identify barriers that can cause others to disengage
· Practice the concepts in one-on-one exercises
You’ll take away practical techniques for how to have satisfying conversations that will enhance your relationships and keep people coming back.
Anne Bers is a Collaborative Processes Coach and former Director of Mediation and Facilitation Services at the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center, in San Mateo. She has worked as a professional communicator and consultant to government agencies, corporations and small businesses, and holds a Bachelor’s in English from the State University of New York and a Master’s in Technical Communication from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
(Note: To protect audience members’ privacy when they asked questions about, and commented on, these subjects, no video was made of this Forum.)