The Characteristics of a Good Professional Dialogue

The following summary is Item #7 in Issue 583 of The Marshall Memo, a wonderful resource for all educators (marshallmemo.com)

The Characteristics of a Good Professional Dialogue

(Originally titled “The Art of Dialogue”)

            In this Educational Leadership article, Oscar Graybill (Socratic Seminars International)

and Lois Brown Easton (author/consultant/coach) describe four types of interaction, each of which has its place:

-   Conversations – convivial, casual, friendly talk about personal and social matters;

-   Discussions – there’s a purpose, often to make a decision; people may choose sides;

-   Debate – a structured form of discussion in which the format dictates taking sides;

-   Dialogue – people inquiring into ideas and building their understanding of an issue without pressure to choose a side, be “right,” or make a decision.

“When members of a group are just trying to understand an issue, they may find that dialogue is all they need,” say Graybill and Easton. “Dialogue doesn’t just happen naturally; educators must consciously learn and practice it.” Here are their guidelines for a group engaging in a productive dialogue:

-   Group members speak for themselves, not trying to represent others’ views.

-   Members avoid making grand pronouncements, instead connecting what they know and believe to their experiences, influences in their lives, and particular sources of information.

-   Members refrain from characterizing others’ views in a critical spirit, keeping in mind that the goal is to understand, not persuade.

-   Members listen with resilience, “hanging in” when they hear something that’s hard to hear.

-   Members don’t stay confused; they ask for clarification when it’s needed.

-   Members don’t raise their hands; they take turns speaking and listen to what others are saying.

-   Members share airtime and refrain from interrupting others.

-   Members can “pass” or “pass for now” without needing to justify themselves.

-   Members discuss ideas rather than one another’s opinions.

-   Members talk with one another, not just the leader.

-   Members respect confidentiality.

“The Art of Dialogue” by Oscar Graybill and Lois Brown Easton in Educational Leadership, April 2015 (Vol. 72, #7, online only), http://bit.ly/1yLMzZp; Graybill can be reached at Oscar@socraticseminars.com, Easton at leastoners@aol.com.