Embracing Difficult Discussions: How to Have a Crucial Conversation

An Asian woman and a Black woman have a serious conversation.

When we avoid difficult conversations, we trade short-term discomfort for long-term dysfunction.

– Peter Bromberg


ACTIVITY

  • Review the provided resource
  • Identify which elements of crucial conversations you struggle with and which you do well with
    • It may help to think about the most recent and/or most difficult crucial conversation you’ve had
  • Using the resource, brainstorm ways you can leverage your communication strengths and develop your areas of improvement
  • Revisit this activity and your own reflections before your next crucial conversation. Apply. Reflect again.

Related Articles

Resources We Love (And Hope You Will Too!)

During our May Counterpart meetings, we asked folks to share what they have been engaging with recently. Below is a list of all the resources shared by our incredible community, offering a taste of the diverse and inspiring content they’re currently exploring. This list has something for everyone: from thought-provoking articles to captivating podcasts to must-watch documentaries. So, take a peek, pick your poison, and get ready to dive into something fantastic!

Rethinking Master Schedules: Build a School Day That Prioritizes People

An effective master schedule is so much more than making sure the bells ring on time. It not only sets the pace for the school and community, but it can directly impact students’ access to equitable learning, opportunities, and holistic well-being. It also impacts the well-being of your staff as well as their opportunities for meaningful collaboration, preparation, and professional development. An equitable and effective master schedule can lead to a healthier school community overall.

Passion. Pride. Promise. Two Leaders Help Pave the Way for Their Students & Communities

Tucked away in the hills of rural western Oregon, the Vernonia and Gaston school districts defy many of the stereotypes most of us hold when we think of rural schools. Their communities face both common and unique challenges. Vernonia Elementary Principal, Michelle Eagleson, and Gaston Superintendent, Summer Catino, share how their small schools and communities achieve greatness.

Case Study: Merced Union High School District

Through its work with Inflexion, MUHSD is seeing strong results in student outcomes and in closing the opportunity gap for underserved students. California School Dashboard data show College/Career Indicator scores for African American, Hispanic, English Learners, students with disabilities, students who are homeless, and students who are socioeconomically disadvantaged are 16 to 29 points higher than the state average.

Teacher Burnout: Addressing Educator Exhaustion

Educator (and support staff) exhaustion is nothing new, though it has arguably accelerated exponentially over the past few years with no signs of slowing. In order for teachers/staff to best support and care for their students, they need to feel supported and cared for.

During a Crowdsource Coffee on November 9, 2022, Portico leaders, coaches, and facilitators shared their experiences and discussed new ideas for how we can better address educator exhaustion and work toward preventing this issue in the first place.

6 Tips To Manage Schools Through A Disaster

School administrators are coping with fires, storms, and floods on top of the deep disruption from COVID-19. Here are advice and resources from educators Tim Taylor (Executive Director, SSDA), Casey Taylor (Executive Director, Achieve Center), and Mike Walsh (Director-at-Large, CCBE) on how to manage a school community following a disaster based on their experience from the 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise, CA.

Responses