Courageous Conversations

At the ADE Academy in Montebello, I took the opportunity to attend Shantel Clark and Emily MacLean. Shantel and Emily are two phenomenal ADEs and leaders in Ontario.

I attended their sessions for one reason: as a leader, instructional coach and peer support mentor, I have never received any training on how to have difficult conversations. When approaching a challenging conversation, I always just drew on my skills and hoped for the best.

Emily and Shantel gave me the opportunity to practice and develop skills in a safe environment. Turns out, I have the skills!!

We call these conversations many things: crucial, fierce, challenging. But one thing I've learned they need to be collaborative and safe.

Emily and Shantel presented the GROW model of coaching, which I found can be applied to conversations with colleagues and other stakeholders in the education. I'll use this framework in future conversations as a reflective tool and as a framework to guide conversation.

GROW and my ideas about it break down like this:

Goal: define the goal/purpose of conversation

• this makes clear WHY the conversation is needed

Reality: state facts and assess situation

• DON'T evaluate, try to avoid emotional language

Options: Brainstorm ways that goal can be achieved

• take the collaborative approach -- results will be minimal the more people in the conversation feel directed or managed

Will: create an action plan

• this encourages responsibility and will help everyone track progress

The GROW model is going to become my go-to when thinking about and preparing for my ongoing work.