Collaboration: Overcome Obstacles, Build Bridges, and Resolve Conflicts – a Workshop with Anne Lightsey

Collaboration and conflict resolution is a key component of work – whether within a family agricultural operation or two agencies working together. There are tools to effective communication that can be learned and practiced that can build trust and improve outcomes.

Training will be facilitated by Anne Lightsey. Anne is a professional mediator and corporate trainer in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She specializes in increasing individual and group effectiveness, efficiency and cohesiveness. Utilizing her conflict resolution and problem solving expertise, she helps clients identify their objectives, obstacles, and pathways to realistic resolutions.

Participants MUST complete a short pre-meeting assignment and MUST attend both sessions. Space is limited and priority will be given to traditionally underserved producers and technical service providers. You will receive notice of acceptance to the training no later than Nov. 26. This workshop is free. For those with financial need, There is some funding available to compensate for time spent – please indicate that in the application.

Part 1, December 7 – Collaboration: Practice a Key Skill That Allows You to Overcome Obstacles and Build Bridges

Participants will identify and practice a fundamental skill for collaborating more effectively, finding common ground, demonstrating respect, and possibly changing the world. This is a customized workshop where participants have the opportunity to reflect on and speak about whatever focus you choose. This interactive, experiential workshop and often results in the participants feeling more connected to their co-participants and the organization’s work.

Part 2, January 11 – An Essential Tool for Conflict Resolution

In difficult conversations, we have 3 broad jobs:

1) learn their story

2) share our story, and

3) problem-solve together

Before we can problem-solve we have to not only hear their story, but we also must acknowledge that we heard it. Acknowledgment is a step that simply cannot be skipped. In this hands-on workshop, participants look at what it means to acknowledge, and practice doing it in way that makes problem-solving more productive and efficient