Overview
With everything that's evolving today, conversations are often charged with emotion, competing perspectives, and unspoken assumptions. Meetings stall. Dialogue becomes circular. Decisions seem more difficult than they need to be.
This session introduces a simple, adaptable conversation framework that helps groups move from reaction to reflection and from discussion to clarity. Rather than debating opinions or rushing to solutions, participants will learn how to sequence conversations intentionally, so people feel heard, insights surface naturally, and groups are better positioned to make thoughtful decisions.
Practical and easy to apply, this approach fits seamlessly into meetings, discussions, and learning environments without any special tools. Whether you're facilitating a high-stakes conversation or simply trying to make meetings more productive, this session offers a practical way to slow things down intentionally just enough to move forward with purpose.
Key Takeaways
Participants will leave with the ability to:
- Identify why conversations often derail in emotionally charged or complex environments
- Apply a clear, repeatable structure to guide conversations from observation → meaning → implication → action
- Ask clearer questions that reduce defensiveness and deepen understanding
- Create space for multiple perspectives without losing momentum or focus
- Use a practical conversation framework you can start applying immediately, without requiring a formal facilitation role
Who Should Attend?
This session is ideal for:
- Association and nonprofit professionals
- Government employees
- Facilitators, trainers, and consultants
- Board and committee leaders
- Staff liaisons and managers who lead meetings
- Anyone responsible for guiding group dialogue, decision-making, or learning
If you’ve ever left a meeting thinking “That could’ve gone better,” this session is for you.
Why Attend?
Right now, groups don't need louder voices or faster decisions, they need higher quality conversations.
This session gives you a practical tool that you can use in any setting to:
- Navigate high emotion without shutting people down
- Prevent meetings from spiraling into debate or decision gridlock
- Build shared understanding before jumping to solutions
- Increase trust, engagement, and clarity without adding complexity
As a bonus, this session offers a glimpse into the conversation and facilitation principles that underpin Event Garde’s broader approach to participatory facilitation. For those interested in deepening their facilitation practice, this webinar provides a strong foundation and a natural next step for continued learning.
Technology
This webinar will be held using Zoom. It is recommended that you login via a laptop/computer, instead of a tablet, smartphone, or other electronic device, for an optimal learning experience.
Engagement
Due to the anticipated number of participants, many engagement features like video and audio will be turned off during this session; however, participants may submit questions at any time using the Zoom navigation bar.
Accessibility
Captions will be enabled for this session, but should you require any additional accommodations to fully participate please email us.
Continuing Education
Event Garde is a CAE Registered Provider. This program meets the requirements for fulfilling the professional development requirements to earn or maintain the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential. Every program that we offer that has been approved for CAE credit will clearly identify the number of CAE credits granted for full participation. We will maintain records of your participation in accordance with CAE policies. For more information about the CAE credential or Registered Provider program, please visit www.asaecenter.org/cae.
As a CAE Registered Provider educational program related to the CAE exam content outline, this program may be applied for 1 credit toward your CAE application or renewal professional development requirements.
Note: Applicants may use any program that meets eligibility requirements in the specific timeframe towards the exam application or renewal. There are no specific individual courses required as part of the applications – the selection of eligible education is up to the applicant based on their needs.
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