Dialogue is not just a method, it can be a way of life and a philosophy, so we challenge you to use dialogue skills as much as possible also in your everyday life, to make a difference not just in your role of a professional but also in the communities that you are a part of in your personal life as active citizen. So that we not only talk about dialogue, but we walk the talk.
To what extend do I already use your dialogue skills as described in the guide? — What is my dialogue super-power? — What are my nightmare situations in a dialogue? — What can I change in my approach? — What will change if I do that?
Spreading the word about dialogue
If we want to integrate dialogue in everyday communication, promoting dialogue cannot be just a one-time event. It is crucial to find ways to spread dialogue so that people see the benefits of good dialoge and are motivated to use it in their lives and everyday activities. Here are some low-threshold ideas of how to draw attention to the dialogue and encourage the use of it:
- Set an example of good dialogue in all communication in your community and demonstrate your dialogue skills
- Engage members in your community in short mini dialo gues regularly so that they already look forward to them
- Use social media in a dialogical manner and promote dialogue with posts on dialogue, dialogue principles and steps, good practice of dialogue, quotes on dialogue etc. — Set clear rules for internal forums
- Write a sign in the meeting room as a reminder of the rules of communication at all meetings
- Make a poster of the key points for dialogue in your context (e.g. for people who live in an elderly people’s home)
- Make a bookmark with tips for dialogue for library goers
- Print out a leaflet for volunteers
What comes to my mind when talking about promoting dialogue skills in my everyday environment at work or in my community? — What ways of promotion can I afford according to my budget? — What are the ways of promoting dialogue aligned with my personality?
Organising a facilitated dialogue
One of the possibilities that you as ambassador have to promote dialogue is to organise a facilitated dialogue on a topic that would be interesting for the target group, for example on dementia for caretakers and family members of people diagnosed with dementia, on a book we have all read in a local library book club or on possible projects in a housing community or in a school. The event could be facilitated based on our dialogue approach, giving learners the experience of a good dialogue. Thus, they would develop their dialogue skills and consequently increase their engagement in their communities.
What is a topic that I myself am passionate about? — What is a topic that would trigger the attention of my target group? — What is the topic that concerns people in my organisation/ community and would be important to talk about? — How could I as dialogue ambassador support the development of participants’ dialogue skills?
Delivering a training event
Delivering a course or other kind of training event is a great opportunity for a comprehensive approach to developing dialogue skills, from raising awareness of the importance of dialogue to advancing the competencies that we need for participating and/or facilitating a dialogue.
In any of the ways that you decide to deliver a training, take into consideration the characteristics of the target group, adapt the language and choose appropriate activities. Let the training be as interactive as possible and integrate the dialogue in the training itself – so that we walk the talk.
What is my personal objective in running a training on dialogue skills? — In what way should I adapt this training design to address the need of my target audience? — What parts of the training design should I put emphasis on? — What parts of the training design can I just touch briefly or leave out completely? — What can I add to the training?
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P.S. The importance of dialogue extends of course beyond the personal to the workplace and our democracies. This is why it's vital to spread it as widely as possible. Feel free to download Dialogue for all: Unlock your community’s dialogue skills (which is primarily aimed at trainers and facilitators).
This blog is based on Dialogue for all: Unlock your community’s dialogue skills, ISBN 978-961-93678-3-4 (PDF). Authors: Karmen Šemrl, Bernarda Potočnik, Aleksandra Czetwertyńska, Marion Fields, Milla Holmberg, Ioannis Dontas, Giuliana Pitino, Andrea Zalabaiova.
Let me share some good practice of our dialogue ambassadors from Slovenia:
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2. Zala Štamcar, librarian, Miran Jarac Library Novo mesto - Local Library Škocjan, facilitates a group for pregnant women and mothers on maternity leave entitled »I trust myself«, where, according to the principles of dialogue, they support each other and provide a safe space for communication and mutual encouragement in the new life period. They meet once a month.
3. Librarians Jožica Žunič and Bernarda Matkovič, Library Črnomelj, decided to organize a dialogue/conversation for migrants on a topic that would interest them. After introductory activities, including the presentation of the dialogue and its principles, the participants shared experiences and views on the chosen topic in small groups: presentation of customs, culture..., integration into a new environment and job search, inclusion of children in kindergarten and school.