Conversations That Change Us 2nd Edition

The book provides models for theological reflection that include personal and collaborative approaches. It begins by asserting that theological reflection is a conversation that can become dialogical under certain conditions. The notion of dialogue is based on South American educational theorist Paulo Freire's work. Theological reflection is a conversation among participants including God, others and oneself. As the theological models are presented and developed, the impetus of the book is respect for well-known pillars of Christian theological inquiry that include Scripture, Tradition, Reason and Experience. All four of these aspects of inquiry are used and developed as a means for helping people think theologically. The book includes the use of specific Scriptures as the basis for educational theories presented. In terms of its reliance on Tradition, the practice of Lectio Divina is explained and developed. The book distinguishes healthy from unhealthy reason and outlines the trajectory of reason during the twentieth century that tended to undermine confidence in the role of faith in Christian experience. It also picks out an error made by secular theorists that's at the root of modern assault on the reasonableness of faith. Throughout, the book helps the reader apply personal experience to the practice of theological reflection. In addition, Conversations offers a framework and method for working across cultures to help the reader recognize how Scriptures need to be interpreted in different cultural settings. This culturally-based model and case study invites a reader to reassess taken-for-granted assumptions that populate ordinary experience but that are no longer reliable as one encounters Otherness presented by those who don't share individual, social, family or country of origin experience. In addition, the book introduces a model for collaborative theological reflection that captures the essence what's necessary when people who differ from one another begin to work together as they think theologically and as they actually create dialogical, collaborative reflection based on Scripture, Tradition, Reason and Experience.

The New York Times and Washington Post bestseller that changed the way millions communicate “[Crucial Conversations] draws our attention to those defining moments that literally shape our lives, our relationships, and our world. . . . This book deserves to take its place as one of the key thought leadership contributions of our time.” —from the Foreword by Stephen R. Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People “The quality of your life comes out of the quality of your dialogues and conversations. Here’s how to instantly uplift your crucial conversations.” —Mark Victor Hansen, cocreator of the #1 New York Times bestselling series Chicken Soup for the Soul® The first edition of Crucial Conversations exploded onto the scene and revolutionized the way millions of people communicate when stakes are high. This new edition gives you the tools to: Prepare for high-stakes situations Transform anger and hurt feelings into powerful dialogue Make it safe to talk about almost anything Be persuasive, not abrasive

How Change Happens bridges the gap between academia and practice, bringing together the best research from a range of academic disciplines and the evolving practical understanding of activists to explore the topic of social and political change.

A second edition of Memories, Hopes, and Conversations is now available! With helpful updates throughout, the new edition features five new chapters on Appreciative Inquiry applied in real congregations. When First Presbyterian Church in Altadena, California, was asked to provide a mission study report for its pastor nominating committee, the congregation was afraid they would find themselves engaging in busy work and producing a report that would wind up in a file gathering dust. They then asked professor Mark Lau Branson to consult with them on writing this report. He invited them to join in a process of Appreciative Inquiry--a transformational organization change process--which resulted in a major shift in congregational conversations and a new sense of hope. Memories, Hopes, and Conversations recounts the experience of First Presbyterian and outlines a process that any congregation can utilize to harness the energies of the congregation at all levels of its common life. Branson first leads readers through the foundations of Appreciative Inquiry and bracingly explores biblical texts for understanding the practice in a faith context. He then outlines and illustrates a four-step process--Initiate, Inquire, Imagine, Innovate--that creatively employs constructive conversations and questions to evoke storytelling and spur imaginations. Branson persuasively demonstrates how concentrating on needs and problems can mire a congregation in discouragement and distract it from noticing innate strengths. By focusing on memories of the congregation at its best, members are able to construct "provocative proposals" to help shape the church’s future. Grounded in solid theory and real-life practice, Memories, Hopes, and Conversations is a groundbreaking work of narrative leadership and the first book to apply the principles of Appreciative Inquiry to the lives of congregations.

Museums throughout the world are under increasing pressure in the wake of the 2008/2009 economic recession and the many pressing social and environmental issues that are assuming priority. The major focus of concern in the global museum community is the sustainability of museums in light of these pressures, not to mention falling attendance and the challenges of the digital world. Museums and the Paradox of Change provides a detailed account of how a major Canadian museum suffered a 40 percent loss in its operating budget and went on to become the most financially self-sufficient of the ten largest museums in Canada. This book is the most detailed case study of its kind and is indispensable for students and practitioners alike. It is also the most incisive published account of organizational change within a museum, in part because it is honest, open and reflexive. Janes is the first to bring perspectives drawn from complexity science into the discussion of organizational change in museums and he introduces the key concepts of complexity, uncertainty, nonlinearity, emergence, chaos and paradox. This revised and expanded third edition also includes new writing on strengthening museum management, as well as reflections on new opportunities and hazards for museums. It concludes with six ethical responsibilities for museum leaders and managers to consider. Janes provides pragmatic solutions grounded in a theoretical context, and highlights important issues in the management of museums that cannot be ignored.

Great coaching makes a world of difference. Coaching is one of the quickest and most effective ways to advance the success of an organization. Yet it remains underused and misunderstood, and the term is often used synonymously with corrective counseling, encouragement, or the many helpful tactics in between. In Coaching Basics you’ll discover a precise coaching framework along with insights from 40 experienced coaches, including Barry Goldberg and Marshall Goldsmith. This refreshed edition also homes in on what it takes to build influencing skills and introduces new content on microcoaching to highlight practical ways to leverage technology. Part of ATD’s Training Basics series, Coaching Basics presents the theory and follows it up with easily applicable techniques, examples, and exercises that will help you perfect essential coaching skills.

World Politics, Human Rights, and International Law examines the functional dynamics between these concepts based upon the author's professional experiences dealing with real world situations, problems, and crises: from the Bush, Obama, and Trump administrations; Iraq, Iran, Palestine, Israel, and Syria; Bosnia and Herzegovina; successfully litigating genocide at the World Court; indicting Slobodan Milosevic at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia; prosecuting American torture and enforced disappearances at the International Criminal Court; opposing nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons; citizen civil resistance against state crimes; protecting Indigenous Peoples, etc. The reader can see how the author defined these predicaments from the perspective of international law and human rights, and then proceeded to grapple with them and to rectify them. This book demonstrates the power of international law and human rights to make a positive difference for international peace and justice as well as for the good of humanity in the real world of international power politics. By reading this book the citizen will be empowered and inspired to do the same.

Looks at the power of conversation for changing everything from personal relationships to organisational dysfunction, and then suggests conversation starters for meaningful discussions.