1. Communicating as a Leader
By Jamie Martin
June 22, 2017

2. Healthy Communication
Be aware that everyone has their own history, experiences, and beliefs that will influence the conversation
No two perspectives are the same, individual lenses
Be aware of your biases
An intentional or unintentional perception or judgement
“Prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another” (Merriam-Webster)
Practice active listening
Communicate honestly and openly
Confrontations and conflict can be really healthy

3. Your Lens

4. Object Association On a piece of paper number 1 to 6
As I flip through the slides write what the object is and the gender you would associate with it

5. FLOWER

6. MOUNTAIN

7. SEASHELL

8. DIRT

9. HUMMINGBIRD

10. PUPPY

11. ROCK

12. What are some of your biases?
Think about the gender you associated with the outdoor objects
What made an object male of female?
What do the words and thoughts regarding the object and the gender, tell you about how you view each gender?
Are there any biases that surprised you or anything you would like to be more aware of or work on?

13. Biases
Think about your lens and your biases as you communicate with others
When addressing a situation or conversation, consider the role their lens and biases play
During the conversation and after the conversation, asses the role both of your lenses and biases played in the success or difficulty of the conversation

14. Active Listening Activity #1
Pair up with someone not from your school
Ask your partner to describe a conversation in their life that did not go the way they wanted (Don’t use names)
Don’t think of a response or your next question, just listen
Ask follow up questions about the conversation to gain a better understanding if necessary or of your partner needs prompting
Switch

15. Active Listening Activity #2
Ask your partner to describe a conversation in their life that went the way they wanted (Don’t use names)
Don’t think of a response or your next question, just listen
Ask follow up questions about the conversation to gain a better understanding if necessary or of your partner needs prompting

16. Follow Up Questions What was like for you as the listener?
What was it like for you as the talker?
What was easy or difficult about it?
If this isn’t something you practice everyday,
how could you start to do it more often?
When would this be helpful?

17. Communicate Honestly and Openly
For you:
Be authentic, don’t compromise who you are
Be confident
Be prepared
Share your perspective and what is influencing you
Tell them what you want and need

18. Communicate Honestly and Openly
For them:
Provide a context for understanding, not convincing
Explain, don’t tell
Give them the benefit of the doubt
Don’t assume anything

19. Communication and Conflict

20. Confrontations and Difficult Conversations
Think about what your goal is before you start
What do you want them to take away from this conversation
Work back from there
Be prepared to take responsibility for the response you cause,
regardless of your intention

21. Questions to Ask Yourself
How do you feel? Are you in a place where you personally can have a difficult conversation?
What could you lose or gain by having this conversation?
What could you lose or gain by NOT having this conversation?
What are you pretending not to know? Are you in denial?
What is your contribution to this issue?
Fierce Conversation by Susan Scott

22. Practice a Confrontation or Difficult Conversation Regarding Women in Leadership
Situation #1:
Side A: A woman should not be president
Side B: A woman should be president
Situation #2:
Side A: Pregnancy and maternity leave interfere with the bottom line and a woman’s ability to lead
Side B: Pregnancy and maternity leave do not interfere with the bottom line and a woman’s ability to lead

23. Moving Forward
Do you think we are having healthy, quality conversations in our everyday lives?
How can you use this information in your everyday life?