Communication
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In this video about inclusive conversations, Craig invites two workshop participants to explain what it means to be “a complete listener”.
In this video Craig shares highlights from an essay about civic dialogue and collaboration among people with different histories, values, and interests.
In this tip Craig advises that creating conflict or calling for systemic changes because of one's own personal issues is inefficient - and in some cases, selfish. Craig suggests a practical alternative.
In this tip about team emotional intelligence Craig reminds us that advice works best when solicited and unconditional. What does "solicited and unconditional" look like? Craig explains in the tip.
In this video about team emotional intelligence, Craig outlines four ways to prove that you are listening (or not).
In this video Craig emphasizes the value of in-person conversations and argues that exchanging business cards improves conversation.
In this video Craig gives a tour of a special meeting room setup and explains how it will help support the group through a difficult conversation.
In this video Craig explains the paramount role of "citizen" in a democracy, and how the politicians actually work for "us."
In this tip about team emotional intelligence Craig encourages us to think carefully about when and where to give criticism, and explains the implications.
In this tip Craig describes how to demonstrate listening by showing that you are paying attention and checking for accuracy.
In this tip Craig discusses differences between what is said by a speaker and what is heard by a listener. He offers practical advice for groups wrestling with miscommunication.
In this tip Craig offers practical advice to groups seeking to base their decisions on true understanding.
In this tip about collaboration Craig explains how actions are connected to trust and offers some practical cautions about over-promising.
In this video Craig highlights the downsides of ghosting someone in the middle of a conversation.
In this video, Craig explains why empathy and respect are so important for inclusive conversations, especially difficult conversations with potential adversaries.
In this video Craig argues for the value of face-to-face conversations when you want to make good group decisions.
In this one-page handout Craig provides guidance on when to offer feedback, how to structure feedback, and a four-step process to handle criticism.
In this video about team emotional intelligence, Craig discusses how leaders (and others) can harness the power of feedback.
In this tip Craig describes three ways to influence choices - regulate, incentive, compel - and explains the value of compelling with good, truthful information.
In this tip about group process and practice, Craig describes the value of advance notice for impending decisions and gives a few examples of how to do this, well in advance or on the spot.
If you feel invisible in meetings, Craig has five tips for you: speak early, get and keep the floor, be spontaneous with confidence, avoid criticizing publicly, and build credibility. Craig explains and demonstrates in this video.
In this brief essay Craig offers fundamental principles and practical advice for meaningful conversations across political divides.
In this one-page handout Craig provides five principles for talking with adversaries, including how to speak, how to listen, and what to do when stuck, angry, or dejected.
In this tip Craig discusses the phenomenon of "in-front-of" messaging - messages for multiple audiences beyond the direct recipient - and he suggests some ways to respond.
I know it’s the information age, yet I declare that information is over-rated and that Google is a show stopper. Information in abundance seems like an unconditionally good thing, but I’m not buying it. Our knee-jerk efforts to seek and provide information often shut down conversations and cheapen relationships. Here are three examples. I was ...read more
In this video Craig explains a method to build effective communications between colleagues of different ages. His proposed method might be a little risky but he's willing to give it a try.
In this video about team emotional intelligence Craig explains how sarcasm and jokes can be destructive to group culture. To some it may be "just a joke" but the ramifications can run deep. Craig discusses in the video.
Key Guidelines For Public Input And Engagement Craig Freshley 2026 04 21
In this tip Craig explains the value of "showing where you stand" - yes, with signs and stickers, but also in groups with two specific methods to draw out lots of information quickly.
In this tip about inclusive conversations, Craig distinguishes between "talking" and "contributing" and outlines three practical advantages of good listening.
In this video about team emotional intelligence, Craig encourages group members to put away screens and engage with each other before meetings - because that's often where the magic happens.
In this video Craig encourages men to be restrained in meetings to make room for women to speak up.
In this tip about group process and practice, Craig outlines three steps to take when we are unhappy or disappointed with our group, organization, or government.
Speaking on behalf of others is fraught with potential conflict. In this tip Craig outlines what to do instead. And, he offers an exception to the rule. Bonus: an entertaining example in the comments section.
In this tip about team emotional intelligence Craig explains creative ways to propel momentum with positive feedback.
In the middle of a meeting Craig demonstrates four different ways to gather public input, both written and spoken. Bonus: a glimpse of a professional room setup and facilitation tools that just might inspire your next meeting design!
In this tip Craig discusses the profound advantages of a reflective pause between receiving information and reacting to it.
In this video about inclusive conversations and collaboration, Craig explores the concept of resonance. How can we amplify each other's ideas to create fantastic results? Craig explains here.
In this video Craig invites high school student Coutia Giriteka to tell the story of how she got the idea to always say your third thought, rather than your first thought. This is a great technique for transforming conflict in groups.
In this tip Craig offers practical advice for creating a group process that allows a clear decision to become self-evident.
In this video about group process and practice, Craig explains how showing what you think in a meeting can be very efficient. From "Amens" to "Hear, hears" to thumbs up, straw polls, and consensus color cards, Craig demonstrates several formal and informal techniques to understand a group's energy.
In this video about inclusive conversations, Craig explains three benefits of silence and how sometimes keeping our mouths shut can be highly efficient.
In this tip about inclusive conversations, Craig outlines the practical benefits of starting with a question, even when you think you know the answer. Maybe especially when you think you know the answer.
In this tip Craig explores the choice between talking and listening, and describes four conditions that should be met before deciding to speak.
In this video Craig explains that we teach each other by being good examples and we we learn not just from books, but from each other.
In this video about inclusive conversations, Craig explores what makes a good argument. Is it one that’s able to win the day? Or is it something else? Craig discusses in the video.
In this handout Craig briefly explains seven things that high functioning groups do, and why groups should aspire to be high functioning in the first place.
In this video Craig explains the worth of good rapport and explains three ways to ruin it. If you do these things to someone it makes it really hard to work with them. Ever.
In this video Craig offers two takes on what a vision statement is and how to make it an effective part of a long-term planning process.
Question: I was on Maine Calling last week and Jennifer Rooks asked me: “Craig I think everyone has had a situation where we’re chatting with someone – maybe it’s a neighbor or we’re at a party – and the person says something that surprises you, that you disagree with, that you find unkind. What do ...read more
In this video Craig discusses different ways to speak from authority - science, divinity, and personal experience - and explains how each perspective can affect a debate.
I’ve met Pearce Godwin a couple times at conferences and was on a webinar with him last week hosted by NCDD. He’s our nation’s leading expert in talking across divides, in my opinion. He told us that if you are a political lefty and you want the attention of a righty, consider modifying your approach ...read more
In this tip Craig outlines the benefits of putting group comments and conclusions into a written format, and why it's worth the effort. He also suggests several strategies for different points in the decision process.
This 6-page handout highlights several tips and tricks for facilitating highly effective Zoom meetings. These tips can be applied to other online meetings also.
Zoom Meeting Basics Handout
