1.5 - About University

Purpose__ to analyze and decideDiscussionPreparation__ Pay attention to your intentions.__ Be clear about what you want.__ Plan the agenda and context for discussion.__ Create a safe haven (openness and trust areessential).__ Balance advocacy with inquiry.__ Build shared meaning (recognize that words areabstractions).__ Use self-awareness as a resource. (Ask yourself: “Whatam I feeling?” (Pause.) “What do I want at thismoment?” (Pause.)__ Explore impasses and encourage new perspectives.(Ask, “What do we agree on?” and “What do wedisagree on?”)Outcomes__ Decisions are made.__ People leave with priorities and work assignments.DialoguePurpose__ to balance advocacy with inquiry__ to discover the nature of choices and optionsElements__ invitation (People are given the choice toparticipate.)__ generative listening (Listen for deeper meanings.)__ self-observation and introspection__ surfacing and inquiring into assumptions (Describewhat’s behind one’s thinking; refrain from imposingviews on others.)Principles__ Use a facilitator, as the process is initially unfamiliarand surfaces difficult misunderstandings.__ Start with techniques, then leave them behind. (Youcan’t force understanding, but you can createconditions under which dialogue can occur.)__ Create a safe place to take a risk.__ Let things evolve. (Have a focus, but no specificoutcome, in mind.)__ Be self- and group aware. (Pay attention to what ishappening within the group and within yourself.)__ Use disagreement as an opportunity. (Exploredifferences, even though they may not be easilyresolved.)Outcomes__ Deeper understanding__ Foundation for team decision makingR ELATED LEADERSHIP TOOLS1.6 Boards of Play 8.5 Metacommunicating 9.5 Negotiation5.9 Resistance 8.6 Communication 101 12.6 ConfrontationF OR FURTHER ASSISTANCESenge, Peter M., Richard Ross, Bryan Smith, Charlotte Roberts, and Art Kleiner. The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook:Strategies and Tools for Building a Learning Organization. Currency Doubleday, 1994.244 SECTION 8 TOOLS FOR COMMUNICATION