For dialogue to be effective, communicators need to be able to look beyond their own assumptions, beliefs, agendas, and perceptions. Dialogue theorists W.B. Pearce and David Bohm discuss this in terms of moving from being governed by assumptions into self-reflection and then inquiry about others (changing from narrative to dialogue).

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Reflecting on these elements of dialogue, explain why inquiry and active listening is essential. Then provide an example of a situation where you should have asked more questions but instead assumed. For future dialogues, how will you engage the discussion? How can you show the person speaking that we are actively engaged? Discuss two ways that you can confirm the message of a dialogue partner. How does confirming the message improve dialogue?

Please post your initial response by Thursday and reply to at least TWO of your colleagues’ posts by Saturday. Be sure to pull examples from more than one of the readings to illustrate or support your thoughts. Your replies should seek to further the conversation by asking questions, providing an alternative perspective, or expanding on the thoughts of your classmates (click “Reply” below to open the discussion box).