What a talking stick does

A talking stick is a simple tool for the part of conversation most of us skip: real listening. Whoever holds it has the floor, and everyone else listens, not waiting for a turn to argue, but asking questions and reflecting back until the speaker feels genuinely understood. Only then does the stick pass on. It slows a conversation just enough for people to actually hear each other, and it works whether or not anyone in the room is a trained facilitator. People use them in couples conversations, family meetings, classrooms, teams, and mediation.

About this one

The Zulu Beaded Talking Stick is shaped like a microphone, which is fitting, since a microphone does the same job: whoever holds it speaks. The stem is turned from wood on a lathe, so the length and taper are consistent. The beadwork is done by a team of Zulu women in the Valley of a Thousand Hills, through a partnership with Africa Smiles, an organization that makes handmade work while supporting a sustainable income for the crafters and their families. Each stick carries the work of the hands that made it.

What you get

One beaded talking stick, with a protective pouch and instructions for use on your own or in a group.

SHIPPING: A $7.00 shipping fee applies. Orders ship via UPS Ground or USPS, with a tracking number provided.