Communicating for a Change

What's the reason for the change?
How will the new system operate?
What does it mean for our mission and my job?
Change is a fact of life for organizations. Those that succeed are those that recognize and
adapt to change in mission or customer requirements, and to related change in political,
economic, and social conditions. Successful individuals, teams, and organizations adapt to
change by: monitoring their environment; re-focusing targets; aligning plans and systems to
reach targets; and using feedback to stay on track.Arrow Moving Towards Sun

Good two-way communication is a key to accomplishing these tasks. Communication up and down the chain of command helps employees and supervisors understand new conditions, requirements, and desired results. "Communicating for a Change" is a half day or full day workshop that presents common sense models and practical communication tools for managing change. Models will assist employees and supervisors to discuss and understand change initiatives in your organization.

Demonstration and practice of communication tools will increase your know-how and ability to: 1) discover and align individual objectives and desires with unit mission; 2) clarify and agree on performance expectations; 3) explore work plan options and resources; and 4) provide, accept, and use performance feedback. Participants will also explore what it takes to thrive in times of change, and how to adopt the attitudes and habits of resilient people.

Participant Results:
  1. Identify individual outcomes and opportunities related to organizational change;
  2. Use the Outcome Frame to focus on what's required of you and your work group;
  3. Use the Alignment Model to link individual targets and plans with unit mission;
  4. Ask Pointed Questions to get specific about performance expectations, resources, and plans
  5. Recognize and match different communication styles to improve rapport;
  6. Request and provide frequent feedback to monitor progress and impact of work;
  7. Review and adopt resiliency traits to improve your own productivity and satisfaction.
This workshop is highly interactive. Instructors Susan Berry, MA, and Randy Thomas, Ph.D.
are experienced facilitators who will coach participants to make the most of the opportunities presented by change. The result: learning that is fast, fun, and targeted to results. Each participant will receive a workshop notebook and pocket-sized reminder cards for review of key concepts and tools. You will leave this workshop with deeper appreciation of how you and your organization can grow stronger through adapting to change.

Your Agenda

 

1. Welcome & Workshop Introduction

  • How Organizations Adapt and Grow        
  • Pros and Cons of Change
  • Objectives, Agenda, and Learning Targets

2. Adjusting Frames and Focus to Manage Change            

  • Productive Perspectives on the New Reality at Work
  • Using the Outcome Frame to Map the Territory        
  • Communicating to Establish Focus

>> Communication Skills 101

            >> Four Focus Questions (demo & practice)


3. Communicating Performance Expectations
  • Aligning Individual Objectives with Unit Mission
  • Eight Questions to Set Targets & Explore Work Plan Options

>> Pointed Question Practice

            >> Eight-Question Conversation

                    (Demo and practice)

 




4. Feedback Conversations and Skills

  • Performance Review and Feedback Cycles
  • Feedback in Everyday Coaching and Annual Reviews          
  • Principles and Practice of Rapport

5. Choosing Resilience in the Face of Change

  • Characteristics of Resilient People                                       
  • ”Everyday Creativity” (DVD) & Individual Target Review

6. Summary, Workshop Feedback, and Conclusion

 
For more information, please contact us. We look forward to working with you!