AGBUS 138: Introduction to Agribusiness Leadership and Group

Dynamics

Week 11 eJournal – Explore Others’ Paths

“One of the best ways to persuade others is with your ears – by listening to them” – Dean Rusk

Name: Susan Chitembo

Instructions
Select the blue text and replace with your response.
Section 1: Pre-Reading

Part 1: Outcomes
Please rank your interest in the outcomes below and explain why your top choice is on top.
(25 words.)

A. Students will learn tools to help encourage dialogue when individuals withdrawal or go
silent.
B. Student will reflect on the true meaning of being sincere, curious, and patient when
others are going silent or violent in broken safety.
C. Students will study the acronym of AMPP (ask, mirror, paraphrase, prime.)
Ranking and Response:

A. Students will learn tools to help encourage dialogue when individuals’ withdrawal or go
silent.
C. Students will study the acronym of AMPP (ask, mirror, paraphrase, prime.)
B. Student will reflect on the true meaning of being sincere, curious, and patient when others
are going silent or violent in broken safety.

Ranking and Response

I chose A as my top rank because we must learn tools that will help us encourage dialogue when
individuals withdraw or go silent.
Part 2: Definitions
Respond to the following questions before completing your reading assignment. Feel free to
use the internet or other references, but be brief and summarize in your own words. Give at
least one example following your definition that proves to the reader you understand the
definition.
1. What is Sincerity? (30 words per definition.)
Sincerity is the virtue of one who communicates and acts in accordance with the entirety of
their feelings, beliefs, thoughts, and desires in a manner that is honest and genuine. To be
sincere is to have the honesty of mind freedom from hypocrisy.
2. What is Curiosity? (30 words per definition.)
Curiosity is anything strange or rare, or having an interest in learning or knowing something. An
example of curiosity is a desire to know an interesting fact about a subject. An example of
curiosity is always asking questions, reading books, and going out to try to learn about the
world.
3. What is Patience? (30 words per definition.)
Patience is the ability to stay calm while you're waiting for an outcome that you need or want.
The quality or virtue of patience is presented as either forbearance or endurance. Patience the
ability to put our desires on hold for a time is a precious and rare virtue.
4. What does it mean to “mirror” someone? (30 words per definition.)
To put it simply, mirroring is matching someone's behavior, whether it's their voice, their
words, or their non-verbal cues (think gestures, movement, and body posture). When we
mirror, as the name suggests, we hold a mirror up to the other person describing how they look
or act. Although we may not understand others’ stories or facts, we can see their actions and
get clues about their feelings.
5. What does it mean to Paraphrase? (30 words per definition.)
Paraphrasing is using your own words to express someone else's message or ideas. In a
paraphrase, the ideas and meaning of the original source must be maintained; the main ideas
need to come through, but the wording has to be your own. Paraphrasing is presenting ideas
and information in your own words and acknowledging where they come from. By using your
own words, you demonstrate your understanding and your ability to convey this information.
6. What does it mean to “Prime the pump”? (30 words per definition.)
Priming the pump refers to the operation of some older pumps, in which a suction valve would
have to be primed, or water would have to be added to the pump for a pump to function
properly. To prime the pump means to do something to encourage the success or growth of
something, especially the economy. Priming simply means preparing or getting something
ready for operation.

Part 3: Ponder Before the Reading

Answer the following questions in a way that is meaningful to you.
7. Think of the last time you knew someone was being sincere. How did you know they were
sincere? How can you show people you are more sincere when you listen? (50 words per
reflective question.)

When asked people to share what was on their minds, I meant it and I was prepared to listen.
The conversation is as much about listening as it is about talking. You might enjoy exploring
how others’ experiences have shaped their values and perspectives. People tend to judge one
another. Setting judgment aside opens you up to learning from others and makes them feel
respected and appreciated. Try to truly listen, without interruption or crosstalk.
8. What are specific things you can do to stay patient in a conversation? How can you keep
your cool and avoid having your emotions take over? (50 words or more per reflective
question.)
To stay patient in a conversation is to have the ability to listen and let the person finish
speaking without interrupting, then you will be able to understand more clearly what’s on their
mind and why they feel the way they do. In some situations, I may find myself in conversation
with people who are unable to explain their points. The conversation may go on and on without
any conclusion. In such tricky situations, I just take a deep breath, calm myself and tell myself
that there is no other option than to stay in this conversation.

Section 2: Reading Questions and Application Post-Reading

Application
Part 4: Pastured Learning
Complete the following:
1. Read—Crucial Conversations: Chapter 8 – Explore Others’ Paths.
2. Answer the following questions about the reading.

9. How do we “become curious when others get furious”? (50 words per question.)
We become curious when others get furious by not taking other people’s behaviors personally,
and we don't act on anger. We reflect and respond to other people’s behaviors rather than
reacting to them. It means that we should manage our emotions before they manage us. It also
means being careful about making assumptions without first gathering the facts.

10. Your friend walks into the room and slams the door. You can tell they are obviously
frustrated. As you start to talk with them, it seems they are getting mad at you. Eventually
they snap at you and turn away. You are joining their “path to action” already in progress.
What can you do to get a back-story and find out what is wrong? (50 words per question.)
To get a back-story and find out what is the wrong Ask: When someone is upset, they have a
story and facts to share. Be genuine and sincere in inviting them to share, regardless of their
emotions. Listen in a way that makes it safe for them to share. They must believe they won’t
offend or suffer from speaking honestly. You can also use priming when you believe that the
other person still has something to share and might do so with a little more effort on your part.
When it comes to power-listening or priming, sometimes you have to offer your best guess at
what the other person is thinking or feeling before you can expect him or her to do the same.

11. Define and explain AMPP. (50 words per question.)

AMPP acronym is a set of tools that breaks down how to listen, encourage others to share, and
listen productively during difficult conversations. AMPP stands for Ask, Mirror, Paraphrase, and
Prime as explained below.
Ask - Start by simply expressing interest in the other person’s views.
Mirror - Increase safety by respecting the emotions people appear to be feeling.
Paraphrase - As others begin to share part of their story, restate what you’ve heard to show not
just that you understand, but also that it’s safe for them to share what they’re thinking.
Prime - If others continue to hold back, prime. Take your best guess at what they may be
thinking and feeling
12. You’ve tried asking, mirroring, and paraphrasing and nothing is working. What are some
phrases that you could use to “prime the pump” with your disgruntled friend from question
two? (50 words per question.)
When you believe another person still has something to share and might do so with further
encouragement, you can try priming the conversation. Offer a guess at what the other person is
thinking or feeling, and she may respond. For example, “Are you thinking that the only reason
we’re doing this is to make money?” 
Part 5: Personal Application
Take some time to reflect on how the concepts learned in this e-Journal might apply to your own life.
Answer the following questions honestly and thoughtfully.
13. How could mirroring be helpful in a conversation? What conversations and relationships in
your life could benefit from “mirroring”? (75 words per response.)
Mirroring helps to facilitate empathy, as individuals more readily experience other people's
emotions through mimicking posture and gestures. Mirroring also allows individuals to
subjectively feel the pain of others when viewing injuries. Mirroring a conversation partner’s
gestures, expressions, posture, vocal pitch or tone can reflect rapport or a desire to please.
Mirroring helps people to engage more deeply in a conversation and understand the person
they’re talking with. In relationships, mirroring helps the other person to feel understood,
and mutual understanding is essential to developing rapport. It also helps to build trust with the
other person, which is an important part of the bonding process.

14. Using a crucial conversation you have recently had or a conversation you need to have,
write a dialogue using the AMPP principles. (You will find an example on pg. 154–155 in the
book Exploring Wendy’s Path.) (75 words per response.)

In the crucial conversation that I will have, I will begin by asking to get things going. When you
show genuine interest, people feel less compelled to use silence/violence. For example, use
phrases like, “What do you mean? I’d like to hear your concern; it encourages them to begin to
express themselves.
Mirror in order to confirm feelings – I will pay attention to the other person’s body language so
as to maintain an atmosphere of safety. Mirroring is most useful when the other person’s
tone/gestures are inconsistent with their words. For example, they may say, “Don’t worry, I’m
fine,” when clearly they’re not fine. A mirroring response would be, “Really? It doesn’t sound
like you are.
Paraphrase to confirm the story. It’s important to restate what I will hear in order to show that I
understand and willing to be opened to discussing differences.
Prime - similar to priming a pump, I will employ this when you believe that the person has
something additional to say. I will offer a guess at what the other person is thinking or feeling,
and she may respond. For example, “Are you thinking that the only reason we’re doing this is to
make money?” 
Section 3: Reflection
Part 6: Key Insight
15. What is the one key insight that you gained during this eJournal? What are some questions you still
have? Write your key insight and at least one question below. (50 words.)

One key insight that you gained during this eJournal is paraphrasing, which is using your own
words to express someone else's message or ideas. In a paraphrase, the ideas and meaning of
the original source must be maintained; the main ideas need to come through, but the wording
has to be your own. Paraphrasing is presenting ideas and information in your own words and
acknowledging where they come from. By using your own words, you demonstrate your
understanding and your ability to convey this information.
Question
How does paraphrasing help in difficult conversations
Part 7: Share and Discuss
You now have the opportunity to gain further insight by discussing your key insight and question with
others.

16. Choose one of the options below:

1. Post your key insight and question(s) in a new thread in the optional Share and Discuss
discussion topic for this eJournal, linked in the course. Help your classmates answer
their questions and engage in conversation with them to help each other gain more
insight. If available, try to help at least two other students.
2. If you wish to meet with your online classmates in a live web meeting instead, use this
optional discussion topic to set it up. Share your ID (Skype, Hangouts, FaceTime, etc.)
or web meeting link in a new discussion thread and use the thread to invite others and
decide on a time to meet up.
3. Share your key insight and pose your question to a family member, friend, roommate,
colleague or other acquaintance and discuss the concepts with them.
4. Perform additional research to find answers to your question and gain deeper insight.
Here are a few ideas:
 Experiment and apply one of the key concepts from this eJournal to your own life, to test
your key insight and answer the question you posed previously. Record what you
discover.
 Do a library or web search to answer the question you posed previously and gain more
insight into the topic. Find at least three references to back up your understanding and
cite those in your write-up below.
 Draw some parallels to gospel truths to help you build on your key insight and answer
the question you posed. Find at least three references to back up your understanding
and cite those in your write-up below.

In the response below, indicate the option you chose and explain how you completed the activity. (25
words.)
With whom did you share? 
I shared my key insight with my friend, family members my husband and my nephew 
What did you share? 
I shared with them many things in this ejournal but I emphasized more on mirroring more
because helps to facilitate empathy, as individuals more readily experience other people's
emotions through mimicking posture and gestures. Mirroring also allows individuals to
subjectively feel the pain of others when viewing injuries. Mirroring helps the other person to
feel understood, and mutual understanding is essential to developing rapport. It also helps to
build trust with the other person, which is an important part of the bonding process
What was their response? 
They were happy to that when we mirror, as the name suggests, we hold a mirror up to the
other person describing how they look or act. Although we may not understand others’ stories
or facts, we can see their actions and get clues about their feelings.
What new answers or insights did you gain from the Share and Discuss experience? 
There are no new answers or insights gained from the Share and Discuss yet.

Part 8: Final Summary

17. Review the outcomes listed at the top of this eJournal.
18. Reflect on how this eJournal has helped you meet these outcomes and briefly write about:
 What did you learn that you can apply to your life?
 What new answers or insights did you gain from the Share and Discuss experience?
19. Finally, write your final insight, which may be similar to your key insight but with the added
understanding gained through the Share and Discuss activity.
Give your response below. (150 words.)

The outcome of this ejournal has helped me to learn and apply the true meaning of being
sincere, curious, and patient when others go silent or violent in broken safety. My final insight is
about the acronym AMPP which is a set of tools that breaks down how to listen, encourage
others to share, and listen productively during difficult conversations. In crucial conversations, it
is important to encourage others to share their path to action by asking and inviting them to
express themselves.
Ask - Start by simply expressing interest in the other person’s views.
Mirror - Increase safety by respecting the emotions people appear to be feeling.
Paraphrase - As others begin to share part of their story, restate what you’ve heard to show not
just that you understand, but also that it’s safe for them to share what they’re thinking.
Prime - If others continue to hold back, prime. Take your best guess at what they may be
thinking and feeling
In conclusion, when others shut down or blow up (resort to silence/violence), it’s important to
get them to rejoin the dialogue. You can’t work through your differences until all parties add
their input to the pool of information. You can take steps to make it more comfortable for them
to do so. The key to encouraging participation is letting them know it’s OK to share their path to
action (their facts and stories), regardless of how controversial it might be.