Transformative Conversations

Praise for Transformative Conversations "e;In the 'superstorm' of writings about the crisis in higher education this little gem of a book stands out like a mindfulness bell. It calls us back to the only thing that truly matters the energy and wisdom buried in the minds and hearts of dedicated educators."e; Diana Chapman Walsh, president emerita, Wellesley College; trustee emerita, Amherst College; member of the MIT Corporation "e;This book is revolutionary! It is about transforming the very essence of higher education through the power of authentic conversation, knowing that as the people within the institution evolve, the institution will transform."e; Patricia and Craig Neal, The Art of Convening: Authentic Engagement in Meetings, Gatherings, and Conversations; founders, Heartland Inc. "e;This is a radical story about how to create a more intimate and relational culture inside the halls of higher education.... for those who long for higher education to return from the abyss of siloed isolation to its original charter as a cooperative learning institution committed to developing the whole person in service of the common good."e; Peter Block, Flawless Consulting and Abundant Community Transformative Conversations offers guidance to help readers create and sustain Formation Mentoring Communities, where faculty, staff, and administrators can speak openly and honestly to the heart of their work as educators and human beings.

Praise for Transformative Conversations"In the 'superstorm' of writings about the crisis in highereducation this little gem of a book stands out like a mindfulnessbell. It calls us back to the only thing that trulymatters--the energy and wisdom buried in the minds and heartsof dedicated educators." --Diana Chapman Walshpresident emerita, Wellesley College; trustee emerita, AmherstCollege; member of the MIT Corporation"This book is revolutionary! It is about transforming the veryessence of higher education through the power of authenticconversation, knowing that as the people within the institutionevolve, the institution will transform." --Patricia andCraig Neal, The Art of Convening: Authentic Engagement inMeetings, Gatherings, and Conversations; founders, HeartlandInc."This is a radical story about how to create a more intimate andrelational culture inside the halls of higher education.... forthose who long for higher education to return from the abyss ofsiloed isolation to its original charter as a cooperative learninginstitution committed to developing the whole person in service ofthe common good." --Peter Block, FlawlessConsulting and Abundant CommunityTransformative Conversations offers guidance to helpreaders create and sustain Formation Mentoring Communities, wherefaculty, staff, and administrators can speak openly and honestly tothe heart of their work as educators and human beings.

PREFACE ixby Parker J. PalmerFOREWORD: REMEMBERING WHAT THE ANCIENTS KNEW xiiiby Angeles Arrien and Rachel Naomi RemenINTRODUCTION 1Interlude: Finding the Time and Space for a More Meaningful Professional Life 111 What Is a Formation Mentoring Community? 13Interlude: Message in a Bottle 272 Cultivating Growth: Conversation in Community 31Interlude: Is There a Place for Me in a Formation Mentoring Community? 633 The Basics of Creating Formation Mentoring Communities on Your Campus 654 Collaborative Stewardship: Facilitating a Formation Mentoring Community 955 From Individual to Institutional Change: Ripples of Transformation 117AFTERWORD: BEYOND THE SMALL GROUP 131by Rachel Naomi Remen and Angeles ArrienRECOMMENDED RESOURCES 137NOTES 147GRATITUDES 153ABOUT THE AUTHORS 157INDEX 163