DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS

Difficult Conversations
That Foster Professional Growth

We all have had times, whether in our personal or professional life, where we were either the "leader" or the "participant" in a DIFFICULT CONVERSATION. No matter if we are on one side of the desk or the other, these conversations are always challenging.

In the education world, the desired outcome, especially as outlined in many new educator evaluation programs, is to foster professional growth. Key to this outcome is transforming those difficult conversations into learning conversations.

Below is an article by Paul Ash and John D'Auria on creating effective learning systems.  They outline elements of an effective learning system. Those elements also correlate with conditions necessary for successful difficult conversations. The other web addresses below list tips and strategies for handling difficult conversation. We feel that this topic resonates with the real world of educator evaluation.

Please read the articles. 

http://learningforward.org/docs/default-source/jsd-june-2013/ash343.pdf

https://www.openforum.com/articles/top-ten-tips-for-handling-the-difficult-conversation/

http://www.transformleaders.tv/seven-steps-to-make-a-difficult-conversation-easier/

Use the articles and/or your own experiences to:

1. Think about some of the assumptions you or others may have around providing constructive feedback.

2. Post a few of these assumptions.  Do you think they foster professional growth.