"A thoughtful map for authentically engaging in and learning from hard conversations. Abrams gently teaches us why having these conversations matter and how they can help us grow."—Eleanor Drago-Severson, Associate Professor of Educational LeadershipTeachers College, Columbia University

"A wonderful combination of coaching, consulting, and crafting a way of teaching us all to speak honestly in our relationships."—Ann Lieberman, Senior ScholarCarnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching

"Our teaching culture is adverse to conflict. Having tools like this will move education forward as a profession."—Michael Grinder, National Director and Educational ConsultantNLP in Education

"This book has already changed my life. Just by reading it, my courage to have hard conversations has soared."—Beth Madison, PrincipalGeorge Middle School, Portland, OR

Speak with clarity, confidence, and courage!

For many educators, confronting a colleague about a work-related issue can be a daunting matter. This insightful book helps educators speak with clarity and courage to directly address difficult situations within their schools.

Having Hard Conversations provides an interactive, personal approach to mastering the art of challenging conversations. The author's step-by-step strategy addresses a wide range of situations, including communication with supervisees, peers, and supervisors. Emphasizing that initiative and preparation are the keys to a successful conversation, this resource includes:

By addressing important issues directly and professionally, educators can find self-empowerment and promote an open, healthy school environment.

Bridge the generation gap and achieve outstanding results!

You might expect the occasional age-related misunderstanding to find its way into the classroom—after all, if today’s kids aren’t exactly from another planet, they’re definitely from another generation. At least you and your colleagues are all on the same page…right? Not necessarily. In some schools, as many as four generations work side by side, and that means countless chances for crossed wires, miscommunication, and perhaps even mistrust.

Authors Jennifer Abrams and Valerie von Frank are attuned to these generational differences.  In this book, based on Abrams’ popular workshop, the authors demonstrate how educators can look past their own generational filters to reap the benefits of seeing through a new lens. Focusing on the major contexts in which generational differences play out—including recruitment, coaching, professional learning, and succession planning—this book offers

With this honest, practical, and often amusing look at generations at work, you’ll learn to improve communication, retain staff, and look toward succession—a multigenerational plan for school success.

“Few people today are taking on this topic, particularly in the U.S. One of the greatest leadership challenges of this age is how to work across generations. Newer generations are not flawed versions of previous generations—each has its own compelling perspective to contribute. This is the best book to add to an issue that affects all educators and will open up many people’s thinking about leadership.” — Andy Hargreaves, Thomas More Brennan Chair Lynch School of Education Boston College, MA

"A thoughtful map for authentically engaging in and learning from hard conversations. Abrams gently teaches us why having these conversations matter and how they can help us grow."—Eleanor Drago-Severson, Associate Professor of Educational LeadershipTeachers College, Columbia University

"A wonderful combination of coaching, consulting, and crafting a way of teaching us all to speak honestly in our relationships."—Ann Lieberman, Senior ScholarCarnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching

"Our teaching culture is adverse to conflict. Having tools like this will move education forward as a profession."—Michael Grinder, National Director and Educational ConsultantNLP in Education

"This book has already changed my life. Just by reading it, my courage to have hard conversations has soared."—Beth Madison, PrincipalGeorge Middle School, Portland, OR

Speak with clarity, confidence, and courage!

For many educators, confronting a colleague about a work-related issue can be a daunting matter. This insightful book helps educators speak with clarity and courage to directly address difficult situations within their schools.

Having Hard Conversations provides an interactive, personal approach to mastering the art of challenging conversations. The author's step-by-step strategy addresses a wide range of situations, including communication with supervisees, peers, and supervisors. Emphasizing that initiative and preparation are the keys to a successful conversation, this resource includes:

By addressing important issues directly and professionally, educators can find self-empowerment and promote an open, healthy school environment.

Bridge the generation gap and achieve outstanding results!

You might expect the occasional age-related misunderstanding to find its way into the classroom—after all, if today’s kids aren’t exactly from another planet, they’re definitely from another generation. At least you and your colleagues are all on the same page…right? Not necessarily. In some schools, as many as four generations work side by side, and that means countless chances for crossed wires, miscommunication, and perhaps even mistrust.

Authors Jennifer Abrams and Valerie von Frank are attuned to these generational differences.  In this book, based on Abrams’ popular workshop, the authors demonstrate how educators can look past their own generational filters to reap the benefits of seeing through a new lens. Focusing on the major contexts in which generational differences play out—including recruitment, coaching, professional learning, and succession planning—this book offers

With this honest, practical, and often amusing look at generations at work, you’ll learn to improve communication, retain staff, and look toward succession—a multigenerational plan for school success.

“Few people today are taking on this topic, particularly in the U.S. One of the greatest leadership challenges of this age is how to work across generations. Newer generations are not flawed versions of previous generations—each has its own compelling perspective to contribute. This is the best book to add to an issue that affects all educators and will open up many people’s thinking about leadership.” — Andy Hargreaves, Thomas More Brennan Chair Lynch School of Education Boston College, MA