Better Conversations at Work and Home: Jackie Stavros & Cheri Torres

Better Conversations at Work and Home: Jackie Stavros & Cheri Torres

From Your Intended Message by George Torok

April 30, 2026 · 36 min · Episode 308

About this episode

Jackie Stavros and Cheri Torres discuss how to foster better conversations at work and home through curiosity and appreciative inquiry.

Better Conversations from Better Questions Be Curious to Create Positive Conversations Episode 303 (Jackie is based in Michigan. Cheri is based in North Carolina) In this conversation with Jackie Stavors & Cheri Torres we explore: the conversations we have with ourselves before we speak to others the difference between appreciative and depreciative thinking how pausing and breathing can interrupt defensive reactions why curiosity changes the direction of difficult conversations how generative questions broaden thinking making invisible assumptions visible creating shared understanding through inquiry inspiring possibilities with thoughtful questions helping leaders engage people instead of commanding them shifting meetings from blame to exploration building commitment by involving people in creation using positive framing to guide stronger outcomes practical questions that diffuse tension and invite insight ----- About our guests: They are coauthers of the book, "Conversations Work Having: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement". Learn more about Conversations Work Having and the free resources here. ----- Key Lessons from this conversation…

People in this episode

Host: George Torok

Guests: Jackie Stavros, Cheri Torres

Topics covered

  • conversational techniques
  • appreciative inquiry
  • curiosity in communication
  • positive framing
  • engagement strategies

Keywords

  • conversations
  • appreciative thinking
  • curiosity
  • engagement
  • communication strategies
  • positive outcomes
  • generative questions

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Conversations Work Having

Places: Michigan, North Carolina

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