Communicating Using Effective Questions

Intended Audience: This interactive, online training is available for all state employees at no cost. For questions about this training or for information on how to register, please contact us at ADR.Bureau@gsd.nm.gov.

Thoughtful and effective questions can promote positive conversation, help open up possibilities, and provide the foundation for building meaningful relationships. Join us for this interactive 2-hour session where we will explore several types of questions and how they influence everyday life. During this session, you will learn to develop and use powerful questions, determine if a question is open-ended or closed, provide clarity of intention and explore others’ values and interests, and learn to reframe negative statements into positive questions. You will practice your new skills by participating in breakout groups that utilize relevant workplace scenarios. If you are interested in honing your communication skills by learning to use effective questions, this session is for you!

Facilitated by: Teresa D. Burgin, owner of Constructive Consultants NM in Las Cruces, NM. She specializes in mediation, training, and facilitation services for government, medical, judicial, and higher education industries. Ms. Burgin is a certified mediator for the NM Alternative Dispute Resolution Bureau, Magistrate Court, and Children’s Court Mediation programs.

Prior to her retirement from New Mexico State University in July 2021, she held the position of Human Resources Director for the Center for Learning & Professional Development. Her career of service expands over 35 years in multiple roles and organizations as a mediator, teacher, trainer, and group facilitator.

Ms. Burgin presents on topics related to organizations and global culture, management and leadership, communication skills, working with challenging people, time management, customer service, conflict resolution, team building, preventing harassment, diversity, equity and inclusion, accountability, and ethics.

She believes that all can achieve effective communication and listening skills with practice, practice, practice. With a “you got this” attitude, she knows that together, we can build a more peaceful existence.