Episode 46 - Collaborative Conversations

NRCAC Team Talk

EPISODE SUMMARY:

Effective communication and building trust are essential skills for child abuse professionals working towards a shared mission to protect children and support families. In this episode, Ken Homer discusses the concept of Collaborative Conversations, a four-step model designed to enhance communication, build trust, and foster meaningful teamwork. Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) staff and multidisciplinary team (MDT) partners can apply this practical approach to collaborate more effectively. Tune in for helpful tips to strengthen teamwork and achieve better outcomes for children and families.

Topics in this episode:

• Collective Intelligence (4:26)
• Collaborative Conversations Wheel (7:25)
  • Shared Meaning (9:00)
  • Exploring Possibilities (19:38)
  • Coordinating Actions (26:08)
  • Learning and Reflecting (36:47)
• Communication Tips (44:02)
• Navigating Conflict (46:18)

GUEST:

Ken Homer, PCC

Trained as an Integral Coach with a background that includes a decade on the core team that developed the World Café dialogue process, Ken works at the intersection of individual, team, and organizational learning to open up new vistas of thinking while finding practical steps for effective action.

Grounded, insightful, practical, and comprehensive, are a few of the adjectives that Ken’s clients have used to describe him. He listens deeply to gain an understanding and checks to see if he is making accurate assessments before attempting to provide any guidance. Ken looks for simple modest steps that can be sustained over time to provide optimal returns.

Ken believes that collaboration is an art form based on learnable skills. “How can we be smarter together and work in ways where we are all enriched or even ennobled by our efforts?” is the question at the heart of Ken’s work. He works with both individuals and teams to identify where they are not getting the results they desire and then helps them to develop the competencies required to achieve their aims.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:

• Appreciative Inquiry: A Positive Revolution in Change by David L. Cooperride. And Diana Whitney, 2005: https://a.co/d/38PzqTi
• Collaborative Conversations: https://www.kenhomer.net
• Northeast Regional Children’s Advocacy Center: https://www.nrcac.org
• Regional Children’s Advocacy Centers: https://www.regionalcacs.org

Have an idea for a future Team Talk guest or topic? We want to hear from you! Click here to share your suggestions.

Disclaimer: This project was sponsored by NRCAC from Grant Award Number 15PJDP-22-GK-03061-JJVO awarded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, OJJDP or NRCAC.