Compassionate communication training
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In this 4-session virtual workshop series, you will learn about and practice mindful communication for managing conflicts.
Managing conflict is not easy - especially when the issues are complex, emotional, and divisive. Conversations can become frustrating and challenging. We think we are right; we want to be heard and understood; we don’t know why the other person thinks the way they do. We fall into “fight or flight”: cycles of attacking and defending, or avoiding and not dealing with what matters.
There is a better way.
Through Compassionate Communication, we can break the cycles of escalation and avoidance, meet our needs, manage our conflicts, and transform our relationships by productively engaging in potentially divisive issues.
There are 3 pillars of Compassionate Communication:
“I–Focused” Speaking: Communicating what’s important to us without provoking defensiveness in the listener.
“Understanding–Focused” Listening: Listening to understand the other side as fully as possible on both a content and emotional level. Paradoxically, through the process of not trying to change the other person’s views, change often occurs.
Both “I–Focused” Speaking and Understanding-Based Listening require a “Calm Core,” the internal state that allows us to hear another person express their views without needing to make them “wrong.”
Throughout this series, the participants will have an opportunity to practice their skills through discussing issues of identity, exploring conflict situations, and learning to listen deeply to those with different backgrounds and perspectives.
In this series, you will gain:
Confidence to express yourself in a way that does not provoke defensiveness in the listener
Proficiency in listening compassionately and authentically to different perspectives
Awareness of normal escalating reactions in difficult conversations and how to break the pattern
Communication skills that effectively resolve conflict
Connection to a community of people jointly exploring compassionate communication
Limited to 24 Participants
This will be a highly interactive and participatory course.
Participants are required to attend all 4 sessions, be willing to engage in small group and partner discussions, and be on Zoom with video active for the entire series.
Instructors:
Dr. Phillip Glenn
Dr. Glenn is a Professor of Communication Studies at Emerson College. Dr. Glenn has developed and teaches courses in Conflict and Negotiation, Positive Communication, and Mediation, Facilitation, and Dialogue.
Seth Izen
Seth Izen is Executive Director of MetroWest Mediation Services in Natick. Mr. Izen was a faculty member in the Peace & Conflict Studies program at UMass Lowell where he taught mediation skills to graduate students.
Testimonials FOR MWMS WORKSHOPS
"Thank you so much for giving us your time and expertise as our guest presenter at our Alumni Breakfast. The reviews are in and they are as good as they get! Every single attendee I spoke to at the end of the event and every email I’ve received since have been filled with praise for your presentation and the table activity that followed. The comments included words like “exceptional,” “ meaningful,” “practical,” “and “engaging.”
I knew the content of your presentation would be perfect for our audience of leaders, and I had a good feeling that your presentation style would work for our alumni, but you hit it out of the park on both. I’ve also heard from so many people that the conversations at their tables were rich, honest and so useful in giving them confidence to better deal with difficult conversations and conflicts in their workplace and in life. For many in the room it was their first exposure to your organization. I’m glad we could give them that opportunity."
-Organizer of Leadership MetroWest“Today was awesome! Thank you. The feedback forms are all glowing! Everyone felt that the presentation was helpful, that they view conflict in a more positive light after the presentation, and that the presentation helped them identify ways to be a good listener.”
-Program Coordinator, Bethany Hill Place"I cannot thank you enough for the training! It was well received by my colleagues and employees. Many have even requested to have you come back and do an all day training. There are several people that may be interested in the mediation trainings as well. This has been such a great opportunity and I’m so glad that we connected. Thank you again!"
-Training coordinator at South Middlesex Opportunity Council“Come again with new ideas so that we can learn more and more. I really enjoyed the all 3 sessions. Thank you so much!”
-Training participant at Framingham State University“I have spoken with 2 people who have already [three days since the training] used some of the skills learned. What a success!”
-Training participant at Lextended Day“Training contains very useful skills that are constantly being developed/should be being developed throughout professional careers and life in general”
-Training participant at Lextended Day