Praise for Transformative Conversations "In the 'superstorm' of writings about the crisis in higher education this little gem of a book stands out like a mindfulness bell. It calls us back to the only thing that truly matters—the energy and wisdom buried in the minds and hearts of dedicated educators." —Diana Chapman Walsh, president emerita, Wellesley College; trustee emerita, Amherst College; member of the MIT Corporation "This book is revolutionary! It is about transforming the very essence of higher education through the power of authentic conversation, knowing that as the people within the institution evolve, the institution will transform." —Patricia and Craig Neal, The Art of Convening: Authentic Engagement in Meetings, Gatherings, and Conversations; founders, Heartland Inc. "This is a radical story about how to create a more intimate and relational culture inside the halls of higher education.... for those who long for higher education to return from the abyss of siloed isolation to its original charter as a cooperative learning institution committed to developing the whole person in service of the common good." —Peter Block, Flawless Consulting and Abundant Community Transformative Conversations offers guidance to help readers create and sustain Formation Mentoring Communities, where faculty, staff, and administrators can speak openly and honestly to the heart of their work as educators and human beings.

Praise for Transformative Conversations "In the 'superstorm' of writings about the crisis in higher education this little gem of a book stands out like a mindfulness bell. It calls us back to the only thing that truly matters the energy and wisdom buried in the minds and hearts of dedicated educators." Diana Chapman Walsh, president emerita, Wellesley College; trustee emerita, Amherst College; member of the MIT Corporation "This book is revolutionary! It is about transforming the very essence of higher education through the power of authentic conversation, knowing that as the people within the institution evolve, the institution will transform." Patricia and Craig Neal, The Art of Convening: Authentic Engagement in Meetings, Gatherings, and Conversations; founders, Heartland Inc. "This is a radical story about how to create a more intimate and relational culture inside the halls of higher education.... for those who long for higher education to return from the abyss of siloed isolation to its original charter as a cooperative learning institution committed to developing the whole person in service of the common good." Peter Block, Flawless Consulting and Abundant Community Transformative Conversations offers guidance to help readers create and sustain Formation Mentoring Communities, where faculty, staff, and administrators can speak openly and honestly to the heart of their work as educators and human beings.

One of the New York Post's Top 10 Best Career Books of 2012 Repair communication breakdowns on the spot and drive positive results in every conversation Failed conversations can take a heavy toll on our professional and personal lives, threatening to damage relationships, erode trust, and make it impossible to resolve conflicts, reach decisions, or achieve mutual understanding. Conversation Transformation gives you practical guidelines for managing the six most common (and aggravating) conversation killers: yes-buts, mind-reads, negative predictions, leading questions, complaining, and verbal attacks. Each skill-building chapter guides you through a three-step process for replacing unconstructive habits with more effective responses: AWARENESS Learn to recognize an ineffective communication pattern the instant it occurs ACTION Use specific new strategies to turn the conversation in a better direction PRACTICE Engage in repeated, structured practice to turn those actions into new habits Praise for Conversation Transformation: “Devastatingly insightful . . . provides the practical coaching you need to change old habits and transform your interactions.” —SHEILA HEEN and DOUGLAS STONE, bestselling authors of Difficult Conversations ”An invaluable resource . . . filled with simple tools and fixes to improve communication skills, exactly the skills that can make us all more effective in politics, business, and life.” —SENATOR JOHN F. KERRY “Practical, inspiring, and powerful. You will never look at your conversations the same way again.” —SUZANNE BATES, bestselling author of Speak Like a CEO and Discover Your CEO Brand

Meaningful Conversations invites readers who earnestly desire high achievement for all students in all American schools to the table for a nine-course meal of food for thought that, altogether, satisfies educators’ hunger for comprehensive and transformative school improvement. Addressing critical issues in contemporary schools—including leadership, school culture, curriculum, and assessment—this book offers conversation pieces that describe success standards for schools and conversation points that specifically address the unique responsibilities of district leaders, administrators, and teachers.

What effect has feminism had on Canadian education since the 1970 Royal Commission on the Status of Women, and to what end? Transforming Conversations explores post-commission feminist thought and action in the contexts of primary, secondary, post-secondary, and adult education. In this volume, teachers, professors, and educational administrators – many trailblazers themselves – document the historical experiences and outcomes of feminist action in university faculties of education, departments of educational administration, academic and professional societies, teachers’ unions, and community groups over the past five decades. They begin by exploring liberal feminism as an initial response to the historical context in which female educators spoke up for women’s rights and reshaped formal education systems. The contributors further explore how feminist theory was reconceptualized as women moved into formal leadership roles across education sectors. Last, contributors consider female educators at the intersection of gender and other systems of exclusion, such as race and class, despite ostensibly inclusive feminist theory that continues to be bounded by Western, colonial, neoliberal ideologies. Transforming Conversations considers the complex effects feminism has had and continues to have on Canadian education, acknowledges voices that have been marginalized, and invites readers to continue a transformative feminist dialogue.

NEW 4TH EDITION now available! Refer to isbn: 9781473691124 THE BOOK THAT CHANGED THE COACHING FIELD FOREVER This current, third edition includes fresh coaching examples, the latest in coaching terminology and an expanded, web-based 'Coach's Toolkit'. Used as the definitive resource in dozens of professional development programs, Co-Active Coaching teaches the transformative communication process that allows individuals from all levels of an organization - from students to teachers, and direct reports to managers - to build strong, collaborative relationships.

When conflicts become ingrained in communities, people lose hope. Dialogue is necessary but never sufficient, and often actions prove inadequate to produce substantial change. Even worse, chosen actions create more conflict because people have different lived experiences, priorities, and approaches to transformation. So what’s the story? In The Little Book of Transformative Community Conferencing, David Anderson Hooker offers a hopeful, accessible approach to dialogue that: Integrates several practice approaches including restorative justice, peacebuilding, and arts Creates welcoming, non-divisive spaces for dialogue Names and maps complex conflicts, such as racial tensions, religious divisions, environmental issues, and community development as it narrates simple stories Builds relationships and foundations for trust needed to support long-term community transformation projects And results in the crafting of hopeful, future-oriented visions of community that can transform relationships, resource allocation, and structures in service of communities’ preferred narratives. The Little Book Transformative Community Conferencing will prove valuable and timely to mediators, restorative justice practitioners, community organizers, as well as leaders of peacebuilding and change efforts. It presents an important, stand-alone process, an excellent addition to the study and practice of strategic peacebuilding, restorative justice, conflict transformation, trauma healing, and community organizing. This book recognizes the complexity of conflict, choosing long-term solutions over inadequate quick fixes. The Transformative Community Conferencing model emerges from the author’s thirty years of practice in contexts as diverse as South Sudan; Mississippi; Greensboro, North Carolina; Oakland, California; and Nassau, Bahamas.