Most of our conversations work well, and a few don’t, and these are the ones we tend to remember. We could learn more by reflecting on the exchanges that work, and using these four suggestions as a guide to having more healthy conversations.
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‘Dialogue’ is a powerful way of communicating that provides a route to increased understanding, shared experience, more effective relationships and resolving conflict. This handout explains how it differs from other kinds of discussion.
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Most of us are careful about how we tackle sensitive issues with colleagues and family members. This article provides some pointers on how to go about raising a subject you have been avoiding, to help tackle delicate matters in a productive, fair and balanced way, and to be sure of getting the results you need. Getting the other person’s attention, striking the right note and ensuring that something changes is the challenge.
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How is it that, in some conversations, we arrive so easily at deadlock?
I could explain it, but not now. Instead, here’s a way to quickly move beyond the impasse, or even to avoid it in the first place.
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Having a difficult conversation may be scary, but it is the route to happy resolution rather than angry conflict.
Continue readingYou might think that people talk a lot about themselves and how they are feeling. At one level it is true, but it’s superficial.
Continue readingDialogue is a distinctive kind of communication that allows people to connect and build shared meaning. The term is often misused, and this leads to devaluation, misunderstanding and missed opportunities.
I have produced a free Dialogue Toolkit as a guide. You can download it via this post.
Continue readingLiterally? Well, not a hike perhaps as there’s generally not enough time, but you can manage a walk.
Fresh air drives fresh thinking. Make your next meeting a walk in the park.
Continue readingTwenty people attended my workshop entitled Creating Dialogue; Turning the Words we use into Action in Hastings and District Interfaith Forum on Saturday 13th March. There was a great buzz and a lot of interest, and another event on a different topic is planned for June or July. To get a flavour of what was covered in this workshop go to the Downloads pages of this site free handouts on Dialogue and Listening.
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