Develop Your Feedback Skills

Join us for an immersive workshop spanning two interconnected three-hour sessions, uniquely designed to elevate how you give feedback. Our approach is based in Nonviolent Communication (NVC), emphasizing empathy, compassion, and awareness in communication. This workshop transcends the typical boundaries of workplace communication, extending valuable insights and skills into every facet of interpersonal relationships. Whether you are new to NVC or have extensive experience, participants at all levels have found profound value in this approach.

Workshop Overview:

Part I:
Self-Connection Tools: Learn essential self-connection tools that lay the foundation for giving feedback. These tools are crucial for ensuring that your feedback comes from a place of authenticity and alignment with your values.

Foundation and Best Practices: We start by introducing structured approaches and best practices for offering feedback. You’ll learn not just the 'how' but also the 'why' behind effective feedback. This exploration will enable you to offer feedback in your own words and voice, ensuring authenticity.

Part II:
Expanding Tools and Techniques: Building on Part I, this session introduces more tools and refines the skills previously discussed. We'll explore the influences of power and privilege on communication dynamics and offer strategies to become more aware and resourceful in these contexts. We delve deeper into the nuances of offering feedback.

Unique Approach:
Somatic Exercises and Role-Plays: Experience the power of somatic exercises and role-plays, designed to help you internalize and embody the principles of Nonviolent Communication in an immersive, experiential learning environment. These interactive practices, coupled with small group exercises, offer you the opportunity to authentically apply these techniques to real-life scenarios, ensuring the skills you learn are not only practical but also immediately applicable to situations that matter most to you.

Nonverbal Communication and Dynamics: Discover how to enhance your nonverbal communication and understand the energetic aspects of your interactions. We'll also explore the influences of power and privilege on communication dynamics and offer strategies to become more aware and resourceful in these contexts.

Beyond the Workplace: While the skills are applicable in a work environment, this workshop is tailored to be beneficial in various aspects of life, from personal relationships to community interactions.

Impact of the Workshop:
Participants have reported experiencing a qualitative shift in their approach to offering feedback during the workshop, noting a trend towards more open and connected interactions. This shift allows for feedback that is not only effective but also deeply resonant with both the giver and receiver. An anonymous, seasoned Nonviolent Communication trainer described this workshop as "one of the most insightful on feedback I have ever attended."

Phoenix’s style of teaching is focused on the consciousness and underlying principles of the NVC process so that each practitioner can express NVC authentically in their voice.

Embark on a journey to master a feedback approach that brings out your best qualities and encourages the same in others all within the empowering framework of Nonviolent Communication.

I'm a an artist, activist, and educator with a deep interest in the intersections of community, emotional intelligence, and trauma. I also teach and practice Insight Meditation and am a certified trainer in Nonviolent Communication (NVC). NVC is a powerful modality that helps us connect with others and our own emotions and values for more effective and healing interactions.

Over the years, I've conducted workshops and training sessions on communication, racial justice, and meditation for various organizations, including Google, the Kellogg Foundation, UC Berkeley, the Insight Meditation Society, and the Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute. I also provide support in mediations and facilitate restorative circles.

Since 2018, I have served as a partner and co-owner at LIFT Economy, a worker-owned cooperative consulting firm dedicated to empowering businesses to be a force for good. Additionally, living in intentional communities has been part of my journey. My experiences have given me an in-depth understanding of the complexities and challenges associated with communal living, collaborative work, and collective decision-making. I am particularly passionate about assisting individuals and organizations in cultivating healthy, thriving cultures. Additionally, I'm deeply involved in improvisational theater, freestyle rap, dance, and writing. Currently, I'm working on an Afrofuturistic sci-fi novel.

You can listen to my engaging discussion with Sharon Salzberg on fierce compassion and self-care at a presentation for Google Talks. I invite you to explore more about my work and insights through various videos and audio recordings available on my website, phoenixsoleil.com.

FAQS:

What is NVC?

Nonviolent Communication (NVC) is a philosophy and communication framework that fosters connection and collaboration. It serves as a tool for personal liberation and collaboration, particularly useful in resolving conflicts.

By emphasizing sensitivity to interpersonal dynamics, NVC enables caring and effective interactions, supporting individuals to communicate authentically and hold other people's needs with care . This approach enhances mutual understanding and respect, making it a powerful method for navigating challenging conversations.

Who are these trainings for?

We believe that everyone would benefit from NVC. In Phoenix's experience with leading workshops, it's been observed that people seeking help with workplace dynamics often want the content of the training to be focused on workplace culture. This is understandable, as the workplace traditionally presents challenges in fostering intimacy and comfort in sharing feelings compared to family and friends.

To address this, these workshops utilize examples and dynamics that are common in the workplace. However, it's important to note that the core principles of Nonviolent Communication (NVC) remain consistent and can be effectively applied to any situation. The skill that helps you talk with your boss can be applied to your partner.

Do I need to have experience with NVC to participate?

All of our offerings are designed to be beginner-friendly, which is great! But you know what's even cooler? People who already have a lot of experience with NVC have found our courses valuable too.

Phoenix's teaching style focuses on the consciousness and underlying principles of the process, so everyone can express NVC in their own voice. Experienced practitioners have even found new depths and unique ways of embodying the consciousness.

What happens if I sign up for the Culture Offerings Workshop Series but am unable to attend one of the trainings?

Recordings of all trainings will be sent to Culture Offering Series Workshop participants following each session. In addition, we plan to host these trainings on an annual basis, and folks who were not able to attend a session live will be able to drop-in for a future training if offered.

What if I need financial assistance?

We believe in accessibility and have a policy to never turn anyone away for lack of financial capacity. Please feel free to reach out if you need special accommodations to invest in yourself to attend this training.

Do you think the workshop is still relevant for general NVC training or should I find something that is less workplace-oriented?

The workshops we offer are actually relevant for both traditional workplace scenarios and personal relationships. So, whether you have a traditional job or not, it's still a great opportunity for you to learn and grow.

Phoenix decided to offer workplace-based training sessions because she received feedback from people who found it a bit challenging to relate personal life examples to their professional lives. As you can imagine navigating vulnerability, expressing boundaries, feelings, and needs in some workplaces can be a bit trickier. In these workshops, she provides examples based on workplace situations to help participants understand and apply NVC principles effectively there.

But here's the thing: workplace examples can actually be quite useful when it comes to personal situations too. Since work situations tend to be more constrained and structured, it can be easier for individuals to take those examples and apply them to their personal lives.

So, even if you don't have a traditional job or workplace, we still think attending these workshops would be really valuable for you. You'll learn essential NVC techniques and principles that can be adapted and utilized in various areas of your life, including your personal relationships. So, go ahead and give it a shot!

What are the dates and times of all the workshops and FAQs?

The dates and times are listed on each individual workshop page. Here are the dates and times all in one place:

NVC Basics for Surfing Workplace Waves: This workshop will help you navigate your workplace's ups and downs with greater ease and confidence.
- Friday March 1st, 2024 10AM - 1PM PST | Virtual Event
Offering Feedback In The Workplace: A two-part workshop where we delve into providing authentic, honest, and genuinely helpful feedback using NVC tools.
- Part I: Friday March 29th, 2024 | 10AM - 1 PM PST | Virtual
- Part II: Friday April 12th, 2024 | 10AM - 1 PM PST | Virtual
Staying Grounded Under Fire at Work: This workshop will equip you with techniques to process difficult emotions and stay present in challenging situations.
- Friday April 26th, 2024 10AM - 1:30PM PST | Virtual Event
How To Have Conversations About Race: A two-part workshop that encourages us to embody our values and ideals while advocating for justice in conversations about race.
- Part I: Friday May 10th, 2024, 10AM - 1PM PST | Virtual Event
- Part II: Friday May 17th, 2024, 10AM - 1PM PST | Virtual Event

All of the trainings are recorded, so if you miss one you will be able to listen to the recording.

Offering Feedback In The Workplace

Develop Your Feedback Skills

Workshop Details

Save On The Series

Meet Your Trainer: Phoenix Soleil

Introduction To Non-Violent Communication