Global Conversations

Introduced at the 2010 ICF Annual International Conference as a way to allow attendees to explore topics more and learn from each other, Global Conversations will be held again this year. As the ICF is an international organization, rich in variety of cultures, Global Conversations provide an opportunity to bring our many voices into dialogue and explore some of the current trends impacting coaching. 

The Conference Educational Steering Committee examined nearly 20 trends and selected five topics for this year's Global Converations. Attendees will have the choice of which session they would like to join. Global Conversations will follow some of the design principles of World Cafes as attendees create an interactive network around each of these trends. 

• Create a hospitable space: Global Conversations rooms will be set with round tables to encourage connection and easy communication
• Set the context: A person that has expertise in the specific area will give a short presentation about the trend.
• Explore questions that matter: The expert, the conversation facilitator, and participants will construct important questions to be discussed for each trend.
• Encourage everyone's participation: Table captains will solicit the input from each person at their table so that everyone has the opportunity to share and add to the dialogue while taking notes to document the conversation.
• Cross-pollinate and connect diverse perspectives: The conversation facilitator and expert will bring together the perspectives from each of the tables.
• Listen together for patterns, insights, and deeper questions: The conversation facilitator and expert will lead a discussion to highlight the various themes or patterns that emerging as well as any insights or questions for deeper probing.
• Harvest and share collective discoveries: The conversation facilitator will collect the discoveries from Global Conversations.

CCEU:  CC = Core Competency / PD - Personal Development / BD - Business Building / OT = Other Tools & Skills

Global Conversation Topics:

In this highly interactive session, participants will explore:

• The business case for the new hybrid leadership model.
• What do coaches need to understand to get others to embrace the yin and yang of leadership?
• What role can coaches play as agents of change for driving this innovative leadership shift?
• How can coaches serve as a catalyst for the integration of the best from both models?
• How can coaches use this model to help their clients drive higher levels of employee engagement, productivity and better business results?

Jumping the generational divide: How to navigate the global multi-generational landscape
Meagan Johnson - View bio.
Monday, September 26: 1:30-5:00 p.m. / 1330-1700
CCEU: 1.00 CC / 2.00 OT
Room:  Islander A/B
There has been an ongoing shift in the workplace. Organizations are now faced with managing a workforce that spans as many as four generations. The differences between the generations such as communication, style, workplace commendation, and management present many challenges. Ignoring the drastically diverse ways generations learn and communicate with each other is tantamount to turning your back on a tiger. The goal is to understand and value the generational differences and to benefit from them.

In this highly charged, participatory presentation, Meagan outlines the dominant generational forces in the workplace and how each generation's "generational signposts" drive motivation and influence company loyalty and delivery of customer service. Meagan will deliver a roadmap that will enable members to tackle their specific generational challenges.

Key issues covered include:

• Generational signposts;
• Source of generational conflict;
• Tapping into each generations strengths; and
• Creating a connectivity breeding ground for the different generation.   

Participants will walk away with a clear understanding of the source of generational conflict, the cost of hoping it will just go away, and a clear cut path to multi-generational productivity. Participants will also leave armed with decoder cards that work as a quick refresher and a guide.

• How can each generation be celebrated for their contributions?
• How can we respect and honor our differences while working for common goals?
• What would it take for collaboration and cooperation to become the norm?
• What is the role of coaching in celebrating the multi-generational workplaces?

Playing to the cultural edge
Belma Gonzalez   Ernest Mark   Alfredo Vergara-Lobo
Monday, September 26: 1:30-5:00 p.m. / 1330-1700
CCEU: 1.00 CC / 2.00 OT
Room:  South Pacific C/D
As coaches, we impact the lives of those we coach and those to whom they are connected. As individuals, we all have our own impact and stake in making the world a more equitable place, whether it's coaching the corporate CEO, a disaster victim, or a non-profit manager. We are being called forth to take action to notice social injustice or inequity in service of the client and in creation of a better world. As celebrated anthropologist Wade Davis said, "The world in which you were born is just one model of reality. Other cultures are not failed attempts at being you; they are unique manifestations of the human spirit."

Come learn some of the exciting ways that culturally aware coaching is making a difference around the globe, from a panel of coaches with Prism Coaching. When we give to others or to community, we reap so much in return.

• How can noticing culture make you a better coach?
• Where have you experienced a cultural "blind spot" in your coaching and how did it impact your coaching?
• How can we assist clients to integrate all parts of themselves while recognizing and calling out inequities that may affect them?
• What do you need to do regarding cultural awareness so you can be your best as a coach? 

Human connection: Creating community through stories
Nick Nissley - View bio.
Monday, September 26: 1:30- 5:00 p.m. / 1330-1700
CCEU: 1.00 CC / 2.00 OT
Room: Islander F/G
As coaches moving forward in this fast-changing world, we recognize the importance of creating community. It is often helpful to reach back to the best of the past when we are creating new futures. To do so, we must know and honor those stories of where we've come from. Similarly, as we look to the future, we must imaginatively give voice to the stories of where we're going. And, often in our lives, we must change our stories as we seek to become unstuck from ruts. Stories are a social phenomenon-sharing our stories connect us with each other and the wider world, from past to present. Stories are also what help us move our lives forward, connecting us to our future; they help us enact what's next. Story making is a community building technology.

• How can we be more conscious in the crafting of our personal and collective stories-to ensure healthier communities?
• How do stories really function in our everyday lives (e.g., in business, healthcare, government)?
• How do leaders make use of stories to build community?
• Sometimes communities must change, and leaders are called upon to help create new stories. How do stories inspire change?
• Interesting intersections are occurring between story and the professions (e.g., medicine (narrative medicine), therapy (narrative therapy), and leadership (narrative leadership)). What are these intersections telling us about narrative practice, and what is it suggesting that we pay attention to, as coaches?
• Societal trends are interesting, too. There's an emergence of story-based theater (e.g., The Moth) and even the recent creation of the Ministry of Storytelling in Sweden's government (e.g., Berattarministeriet). What do these societal trends speak to regarding the place of story in our lives?

Intuition: The coach's edge 
Lynn Robinson (USA) - View bio.  View Lynn's book.  View another book.
Monday, September 26: 1:30-5:00 p.m. / 1330-1700
CCEU: 1.00 CC / 2.00 OT
Room: Tradewinds C-F
We live in a time of profound change. Many coaches feel a calling to participate in this era of personal, spiritual, and global awakening. How do we best navigate this path toward greater consciousness for our clients and ourselves? We look to our intuition - the "inner compass" that provides clear and accurate direction towards our purpose and mission. It's an unwavering and reliable source of guidance from the soul. In this presentation, Lynn will demystify the concept of intuition, show us the wisdom of our instincts, teach us how to read the intuitive signs as they appear, and assist us to effectively interpret the various forms of information we receive. This session will also include a lively group discussion to address how we, as coaches can:

• Play to our intuitive edge and truly claim the power of our intuitive skills;
• Introduce a spiritual approach to clients while respecting differing beliefs;
• Make successful decisions when we don't have all the facts; and
• Invite our clients to use intuition in their daily lives and decision-making.