Dialogue
Featured in the Knowledge Management training manual
By Mike Bagshaw & Paul Phillips
Category: Management
Credit price: 4 download credits (Single user)
Currently, communications in organisations are often characterised by ‘justify and defend’ and a compulsion to get to solutions quickly. This kind of communication does not get to the root of complex systemic problems. There is a growing realisation that in a fast-moving, complex, knowledge-rich world, we sometimes need to slow down, deepen our communication and utilise our collective brainpower. Dialogue is a communication process in which individuals suspend and share their assumptions in order to seek a new level of shared understanding based on the integration of divergent pints of view. It can be seen as an arena in which collective learning takes place and out of which creativity and new understanding can arise. The goal of Dialogue is to achieve transformational results not possible to achieve by one individual, as in ‘the sum is greater than the parts’. This training activity introduces the participants to this powerful and sometimes profound communication process.
You begin this training activity by introducing the concept of dialogue and run a discussion, issue a handout questionnaire, and make short presentations. A short ice-breaker encourages the participants to let go of the ‘questioning’ mode of communication. After a presentation and discussion of dialogue guidelines you conduct an exercise on reflective contemplation and inquiry. This is followed by a small-group exercise on dialogue conversation skills. You go on to present a model of the phases of dialogue and conduct a ‘live’ dialogue session. The activity is summarised when you ask the participants for their views on the depth of inquiry they reached in the dialogue session.
Who is it for: This training resource is intended for use by trainers to introduce participants to the concept of dialogue and give them the opportunity to engage in a dialogue session.
| Resource Type: | Activity |
| Min Group Size: | 4 |
| Max Group Size: | 12 |
| Typical Duration: | 03:00:00 |
| No of Pages: | 26 |
Resources: View standard resources for Fenman training activities
Purpose: This training resource is intended for use by trainers in any development programme or project during which group communication and collaborative effort is essential. Dialogue sessions are also helpful in any major culture or restructuring change programme.
Download the training activity, Dialogue as featured in the Fenman training manual; Knowledge Management