Principle Seven:

Discuss Difficult Topics

Dialogue provides an opportunity to put difficult topics on the table.  It helps to build bridges both on an individual and national level.  Echo chambers squash difficult conversation because people are too afraid to share their opinion or challenge the groups’ attitude.  Conflicting views are avoided, and the group’s belief is strengthened.  Dialogue allows for constructive criticism in the form of questions that permits all to express their opinion (Borhan, 2023).

 

Ask your client about a time they had to have a difficult conversation.  How did they feel? 

What was the outcome?

 

This activity provides an opportunity for the individual to use what they have learned about dialogue

in an actual setting. 

 

Activity:

Ask the individual to have a conversation with someone they know about a topic they do not agree on. 

After the conversation have them answer the questions below for discussion.

 

Describe your attitude? Was it open, curious and/or respectful?

How did you create a safe space?

Did you include someone whose opinion was different than yours?  Who was it? Was this difficult to do?

Did you practice active, reflective and/or radical listening?  Can you give an example of each?

How did you show empathy? 

Did you both share your points of view and how you formed your opinions?

Which open-ended questions did you ask? Why?

What did you notice about this conversation?  What went well, what did not? 

How did you feel when it was finished?