Finding Your Voice In Facilitating Productive Conversations
July 1, 2013
Read Jennifer's contribution as an expert in the article Finding Your Voice In Facilitating Productive Conversations in The Leading Teacher Journal.
Excerpt:
Learning to lead a meeting is more than just managing agendas. It means reading the group’s mood and stepping in at the right moment to turn attention back to productive work, according
to Jennifer Abrams, author of Having Hard Conversations (Corwin, 2009).
A good facilitator, Abrams said, sets the tone and can “change the whole day” for a teaching team meeting. She recalls a moment from her time as a district staff developer for new teachers. It was 4 p.m., she said, and the teachers were tired after their workday. She began to hand out packets of information. She got to one young woman who seemed as though she was in a particularly bad mood. As she handed the woman the packet, the woman shoved it back and said, “I totally know all this already.”
About Jennifer Abrams
Jennifer has been recognized as one of "21 Women All K-12 Educators Need to Know" by Education Week's 'Finding Common Ground' blog. She considers herself a "voice coach," helping others learn how to best use their voices – be it collaborating on a team, facilitating a group, coaching a colleague, supervising an employee and being an all around better human being in all types of interactions.
Work with Jennifer
Praise for Jennifer
“I recently participated in an enlightening online workshop titled ‘Having Hard Conversations’ facilitated by Jennifer Abrams. This virtual workshop brought together participants from diverse backgrounds, fostering a sense of unity and shared learning. Despite the physical distance, Jennifer created an immersive and thought-provoking experience. Through interactive exercises and discussions, we explored practical strategies for navigating difficult conversations. Active listening, empathy, and building trust were emphasized as crucial elements. The online format seamlessly integrated multimedia resources, enhancing our learning experience. Engaging in discussions and collaborating with fellow participants added a valuable dimension to the workshop. Jennifer’s expertise and the virtual platform allowed us to address the specific challenges we face within our contexts effectively. Participating in Jennifer Abrams’ online workshop was transformative. I am grateful for the insights gained and look forward to applying them in my interactions. Thank you, Jennifer Abrams for facilitating meaningful conversations, even in the online realm.”
