Stressful times in agriculture can trigger difficult conversations that many of us dread – whether we’re delivering bad news, are on the receiving end of it, or are helping farmers or farm families make sense of it all. Fortunately, these situations don’t have to be uncomfortable or unproductive.
In this series of five engaging 30-minute Zoom sessions, you’ll learn tips and strategies for having constructive interactions that can lead to better outcomes for everyone involved. You will also learn precautions to keep yourself safe in highly charged situations. These free online sessions are an adaptation of a three-hour workshop we offered in 2019. Whether the content is new to you or you simply want a refresher, we hope you’ll participate and share the opportunity with colleagues.
Time: 8:30-9:00 a.m. each day
Schedule:
Monday, September 14 - Bring your best self forward
Tuesday, September 15 - Embrace conflict and change
Wednesday, September 16 - Name and frame the conversation
Thursday, September 17 - Listen for success
Friday, September 18 - Be safe: de-escalation and personal safety
Objectives:
- Reduce personal anxiety and fear about interpersonal conflict
- Explore the connection between conflict and change
- Understand how self-awareness and group dynamics contribute to successful outcomes
- Recognize the importance of using framing and reflecting techniques in discussion
- Learn precautions you can take to keep yourself safe at work – both in and outside your office
About the Presenters:
Denise Stromme, M.A. is a University of Minnesota Extension educator in the Center for Community Vitality. She has more than 35 years of experience helping adults develop the skills, connections, and confidence they need to realize their goals. Born and raised in Detroit Lakes, Denise has degrees in Education and Intercultural Management which have led her to live and work across the U.S. and abroad. A member of the Minnesota law enforcement community will teach Friday’s session on de-escalation and personal safety.
This workshop is supported by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2018-38640-28416 through the North Central Region SARE program under project number ENC18-170. The MDA and USDA are equal opportunity employers and service providers. The opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this workshop do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Individuals with a disability who need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event please contact Stephen Moser at 651-201-6012 or through the Minnesota Relay Service at 711 as soon as possible.
