2021 Conflict and Decision Making: A Two-Workshop Package with Kathy Germann

Listening for a Change, Transforming Conflict
& Decisions that Stick vs Sticky Decisions

A two-part workshop with Kathy Germann

March 27 and April 24, 2021

Part I: Listening for a Change, Transforming Conflict
Saturday, March 27th, 9:00 am-4:00 pm

Only through true listening and understanding can we hope to create organizations that sustain each of us — organizations that treat every individual with respect and dignity, that welcome multiple perspectives, use conflict creatively, and elicit our best actions based on integrity.

In a highly competitive culture, many of us have learned to listen in ways that strengthen the arguments that support our point of view — we fail to take into consideration the differing perspectives of others. Yet, to create and sustain more inclusive organizations, we need a different approach, one where diverse perspectives and experiences are not only encouraged, they are actively utilized to create more innovative and mutually acceptable solutions. Slowing down and listening deeply not only builds stronger, more trusting relationships, it creates shared understanding, and enhances investment in collaborative decisions.

When we relate to others with curiosity and compassion, we can transform the old model of competition to a new one of collaborative positive change.

Through a variety of different activities participants will learn to:

• Feel more grounded when having challenging conversations.
• Suspend judgment and listen with greater curiosity and openness.
• Slow down and check out assumptions before they escalate into conflict.
• Move beyond positional statements to understand “what’s really going on”.
• Use questions of inquiry to understand multiple perspectives.

Part II: Decisions that Stick vs. Sticky Decisions
Saturday, April 24th, 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

One of the biggest challenges work groups face is in making effective decisions. Many of us have experienced the “groan zone” – the tension between closure and further exploration and/or the different understandings of what consensus is and how to use it. Once a decision-making rule has been established, you can address that tension, explore the gradients of agreement, and facilitate true buy- in that supports lasting solutions, i.e. achieve decisions that “stick”!

In this training you will learn:

• How to develop and apply group agreements to create inclusive meetings.
• The pros and cons of different decision-making rules and the importance of identifying a clear decision-making rule prior to the meeting.
• The concept of the “groan zone” and its implications in decision-making processes.
• How to use the tool, the “gradients of agreement” to clarify the degree of agreement in a group.

Registration: This is a virtual, Zoom event limited to 24 registrants. Registration is for both Saturdays. The content from Part I leads into Part II.

Cost: $100/person, includes BOTH workshops

Kathy Germann brings over three decades of experience teaching, consulting, facilitating and coaching with 300+ client groups across the country. She’s taught over 15,000 learners in the fields of education, healthcare, human services, law enforcement, non-profits and the public and private sectors. Her specialties include diversity/inclusivity, communication skills, conflict transformation, facilitation, team development, and training design. Prior to starting her own business in 1993, she taught on three college campuses and was an Executive Director in the non-profit sector. This is her 28th year serving as an ad hoc instructor for University of Wisconsin -Madison Division of Continuing Studies. Kathy holds a master’s degree in counseling from Ohio State University. She brings a deep sense of passion and a healthy sense of humor to her work.