Dialogue

Having participated in Dialogue for a little over two years now, I continue to be amazed at the power of this simple, too infrequently practiced, technique.  Rushing about, in a hurry, keeps us from listening to one another and learning more about viewing the world.  The two hours we take every couple of weeks is a precious refuge to calm and restore. We are building relationships, building community. 

We had a session recently about mapping relationships, trying to understand how to help people be aware of their relationships, and the functional impact of actions, changes, tensions in those relationships.  That dialogue evolved into talking about words and needing new language, even to inventing words, to describe the complex nature of a relationship.

The importance of word choice was brought home for me again when I found myself reacting oddly to the use of the word empowerment.  I linked it to a mental model in which power needs to be shifted rather than shared, to something where a 'power struggle' could exist.  To avoid that possibility it seemed better to me to frame the patient activation as 'encouragement' to take on a more responsible role in their own health care.

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What Dialogue is to us..quotes taken on September 19, 2001   from Whatcom County healthcare workers who had participated in for about 18 months...the group continues to meet and expand to include individuals from all aspects of healthcare.  Patients, caregivers, adminstrative staff meet to explore issues to gain a broader understanding and appreciation for different points of view.

 ~ Group thinking in a non-defensive way to do something, solve a problem, go somewhere new.  Composed of people with different points of view who listen to each other to learn and think together.

~ Reflective conversation that focuses on the intent to learn.  Purpose is to create more informed decision making so group can move to action and retain benefits.

~ Goal is breakthrough, unique thinking, not just a forum - truly about coming together.  Not recall, breakthrough.

~ Opportunity to help me understand why I make decisions and think what I do.  The reasons are too ingrained to recognize.  Tend to react and make a decision.  I am stopping to think through and understand, propels to new thinking and better decisions.

~ Getting to assumptions and judgments.  Collective learning.  Not always aware.  Understanding on a bigger level.

~ Gets me to shut up and listen.  I recognize my own judgements and reactions & pause to think of what's behind them.

~ More 'ah-ha!s' per unit of time than other activities, as a consequence, have a sense of community.  Feel different about everyone in the group than when it started.  It keeps getting better and easier.

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© Copyright 2003 Lori Nichols . Last update: 10/6/2003; 2:34:53 PM . This theme was created for WWPP by Jack F. Mancilla