"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."
- Martin Luther King Jr
Dialogue is the free flow of meaning between two or more people - the exchange of ideas. It represents the pool of shared meaning to create synergy.
For you to achieve dialogue with someone, you need a deep pool of shared language, perception and meaning.
Silence is a sign that you might have lost the dialogue connections.
Dialogue becomes difficult when the subject is risky, controversial, emotional, and tense. We need to learn new skills to ensure smooth dialogue and achievement of the planned outcome.
In order to achieve successful dialogue in any relationship, there has to be room for free flow of relevant information. You need to allow people to openly and honestly express their opinions, share their feelings, & articulate their thoughts. When you don’t, you stand the risk of delivering ad hominem attacks in your dialogues which destroys effective dialogue.
When you provide people with a sense of security and make them feel comfortable as they interact with you, they can willingly and capably share their views, even when the ideas are controversial or unpopular.
It is extremely vital to seek the flow of information, exchange of ideas freely, and expression of meaning.
Here are 4 things that can help improve the quality of your dialogue
Learn active listening with an open mind.
Begin to understand the different meanings that words carry for people.
Create pools of shared meaning with people to help see more broadly.
Learn to express yourself calmly and controlled when the stakes are high.
As we round up this article, ask yourself these questions:
Am I truly having dialogue with my partner and colleagues or is it a one-way street?
Have I unconsciously become an ad-hominem attacker?
If need be, ask your close friends and colleagues for feedback on your attitude in conversations.
Do you need help building your dialogue skills?
Book a coaching session with us today.
+2348167831266
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