1. Same Page WORKSHOP
A P R O G R A M O F E F F E C T I V E & E T H I C A L C O M M U N I C A T I O N S K I L L S
Barbara Sanders, LCSW barbarasanderslcsw@gmail.com
Thom Rutledge, LCSW thomrutledgeauthor@gmail.com
In these times characterized by political polarization there is one thing about which most everyone can
agree: effective problem solving communication in our political system is far too rare. And without a means of
collaborative problem solving, investigation and evaluation of community needs, policy-making and
implementation at all levels of government are handicapped at best and non-existent at worst.
Far more often than not, when ineffective communication is blocking the way to progress, participants in the
process double down on arguing that their perspective is the “right” perspective. This is just insisting on
spinning the tires in the mud after it is clear that all that will do is make a bad situation worse. It is a common
and understandable mistake; It is human nature to respond to frustration by trying harder.
Failing to resolve problems is less about differing points of view and more about ineffective and incompatible
communication styles. When the tire is spinning in the mud, what we need to do is pause, step back and
consider the problem from a broader perspective. In other words, the challenge is to override our natural
inclination to bear down and tighten our grip, instead choosing to do the exact opposite: relax, step back and
loosen our grip. If that last sentence either doesn’t make sense to you and/or creates some anxiety, then we
are on the right track.
Communication problems are communication problems, be they in the context of a marriage, a business
meeting -- or local, regional, national global politics. Certainly there are major differences in communication
depending on the context but the differences are not in the rules of effective communication.
The Same Page Workshop (Level I) is intended to…
• Facilitate guided discussion leading to a group consensus on the nature of problems in organizational
dysfunction.
• Facilitate guided discussion to help groups create a more specific list of shared problem definitions that can
be addressed with new communication tools to be introduced.
• Introduce participants to specific simple but powerful communication tools along with scenarios to consider
the impact these tools can have.
• Facilitate experiential learning exercises to practice using the communication tools.
• Introduce both explicit and implicit ethical considerations inherent in organizational problem solving.
• Facilitate group discussion about strategies for implementation of new communication skills into real world
settings.
Follow-Up Session: We recommend that a follow up session be scheduled for a time after participants have
had opportunities to put new communication skills to work. A follow up session is often instrumental in helping
people to integrating the workshop material into their work and knowing that there will be a follow up session
supports participants with the awareness that there will be more time for questions and clarification.

2. Same Page PROGRAM FACILITATORS
Barbara Sanders, LCSW is a psychotherapist who has been working
with individuals, couples and families for the past 39 years along with
functioning as a collaborative divorce coach since 2011. She has published
several social and political OpEd articles in The Tennessean newspaper
since 2006.
Ms. Sanders focuses on healing for the world, locally and globally, and
believes that we can change the world, one person and one relationship at a
time. She has begun working with Thom Rutledge facilitating workshops for
groups and communities of people who want to learn how to listen better
and more fully to those who have different opinions than they do, developing
empathy while communicating, finding understanding and common ground
when none seems apparent. Ms. Sanders believes that building bridges
between people is paramount to our success as a planet full of diverse
cultures, belief systems, and political climates.
Thom Rutledge, LCSW is a psychotherapist and author of several
books, including The Greater Possibilities, Embracing Fear, Earning Your
Own Respect and The Self-Forgiveness Handbook. Like Ms. Sanders,
Rutledge has been in what he calls “The People-Helping Business” for close
to 40 years.
He has been featured on NBC’s Today Show, the Fox Network, CNN’s
Anderson Cooper 360 and has consulted with The Dr. Phil Show.
In addition to his clinical practice and self-help writing, Mr. Rutledge’s
political commentary has been published by The Nashville Tennessean,
The Indianapolis Star, The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Chicago Tribune.
With their eyes on the dysfunctional communication in our current political system, Ms. Sanders
and Mr. Rutledge are offering Same Page, a program for any group or organization interested in
avoiding the booby traps of partisan politics. Polarization cripples healthy communication and this
program is about healing polarization. Without respectful communication, we can win battles but we
are not solving problems.
Same Page has absolutely nothing to do with content of any political discussion or debate. Instead
this is a process-oriented program focusing entirely on HOW we communicate.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO SCHEDULE a Same Page Workshop
for your group or organization, contact Thom Rutledge at thomrutledgeauthor@gmail.
!