Dialogue is a distinctive kind of communication that allows people to connect and build shared meaning. Compared with discussion – where people present ideas with the aim of putting forward the strongest or most persuasive view – dialogue fosters a collaborative exchange of ideas aimed at mutual respect and understanding.
Rather than a competitive collision of opposites that fosters more disagreement, frustration and confusion, dialogue is a shared process; a collaborative exploration that seeks to understand another’s opinion by first showing deep understanding of their position.
This workshop enables participants to understand the meaning of dialogue and helps develop the skills to create dialogue between individuals and in groups.
This workshop uses examples, practical exercises and discussion to explore the meaning of dialogue and how to create it.
Contents
- Creating dialogue; turning the words we use into action
- The purpose and benefits of dialogue
- Dialogue compared with other conversations
- Conflict and dialogue
- How and when dialogue might be employed
- The core requirements of dialogue
- New habits of speaking and listening
- Enabling mutual and clearer understanding
- Communication skills that can be used in other difficult conversations
- Focussing attention with awareness
- Listening with empathy
- Allowing equality of voice
- Surfacing assumptions non-judgmentally
- Personal dispostion and dialogue
- Some exercises to develop the skills
- Reading list and further study
Objectives
Understand what dialogue is and is not
Be able to facilitate genuine exchanges between people
Recognise why many of our conversations fail
More effective communications.
What people say
“Very interesting. I enjoyed the experiential components. More please”
“This was a great beginning. I felt stretched and encouraged to put what I’ve experienced into practice.”
“This (workshop) will help reduce some of the frustrations and anxiety I feel sometimes at not being able to do more.”
