“Dialogue – possible between leader and follower?” - Ashridge

• The very rich parallel process that exists; we are a group talking about
dialogue and our experiences of it, however we are at the same time
exploring dialogue as experienced in the moment within the group. I think
this is enormously important methodologically as I hinted at when
discussing Cunliffe and Eriksen’s (2011) ethnographic approach above. For
example we have discussed what we think ‘leadership’ is but I find that
this tends to generate standard cognitive answers which reflect classic
teaching in leadership. However, the quality of response, engagement and
thoughtfulness which has come from defining what leadership means now,
in this group, at this moment, however has been richer.
• The challenges involved in ‘co-researching’ with others and how this can
work in practice whilst holding a facilitator role. I have found co-
researching to be a useful ambition and intention to hold but it is
unavoidable and without doubt that I have more ‘skin in the game’ than
the others. Because ‘I am the one doing the PhD’, I could potentially
influence the direction of conversation more however I notice that
because I am so aware of this I have shied away from taking such a
powerful role to the extent that perhaps I have not been assertive enough
and other members of the group have wished me to direct the
conversation more.
• How the method enables very clear examination of personal bias and
assumptions which shine a light on how such issues must affect more
traditional research methods. For example, the group has helped me to
realise that I tended towards a negative view of power which I had not
previously recognised. I would filter people’s comments on power
accordingly. I have also explored my own power; in fact I could be seen
as belonging to many ‘powerful’ categories such as being white, well
educated, reasonably well-off financially; the only category really which
might be seen as less powerful is that of being a woman and perhaps, in
some contexts in business being relatively young (although still nearly
40!). It has been interesting talking through this with the group and the
effect it might have.
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