The Basic Tools

Whilie I provide personal coaching for individuals and faciliate difficlut conversations with couples, families, and groups, Conversations that Grow is espescially designed to train and equip people to have productive conversations that glorify God and help us grow up in Christ. It also provides Christian leaders with a biblical approach and skill set to teach communication principles and skills themselves. My hope is to train the trainers. 

Conversations that Grow provides an in-depth framework to learn, practice, and teach how to have meaningful, productive, and Christ-focused conversations. You will be introduced to three communication tools:  the "Communication Map” or (iMap) to become aware of what I need to communicate and keep me speaking from the “I” orientation along with five talking and listening skills. “The Process Compass” to help me manage my emotions and keep my communication process from becoming reactionary control talk. And the “Conversation Gear Shift” to talk and listen in five speeds to move from just knowing and being known to influence. The aim is to grow ourselves and others in Christ “one conversation at a time. If you want to learn how to do this then this is the book for you.

I also teach a tool that enables Christians to grow through relational tension and conflict called “The Bridge.” The Bridge guides believers to Align with Christ, Assess their own part, Appeal to the other, and Agree to Restore in response to conflict. Or in other words, Go Up > Go In > Go To, and >Go With.

The Communication Map

A tool for me to utilize the power of the "I" orientation in a conversationand become aware of what I want and need to communicate with five talking skills as well as become aware of others with five listening skills. 

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. Eph 4:15

The Process Compass

A tool to manage the direction of my thoughts, wants, and emotions in the communication process and avoid processes that lead us into downward spirials. 

The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:45

The Conversation Gear Shift

A tool to shift from communicating to just to know and be known, to communicating for mutual influence with others. This tool is especially critial for leaders who need to learn how to shift gears in a conversation. 

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Col 4:6

The Bridge

A tool to guide myself to the most peaceful and productive outcome when facing interpersonal conflict with others through following four biblical directives.

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Rom 12:18


If you are interested in learning more about the Conversations that Grow tools and framework or have an interest in teaching the material in your discipleship, coaching, or counseling practice, check out my newly revised and published eBook which outlines and explains in-depth the overall framework. You can find it here at Amazon.

© Copyright Conversations that Grow!

Doug Marshall
503-206-9468
doug@conversationsthatgrow.com