Participating in dialogue is somewhat different from the ordinary conversations that you or I might encounter during coffee or lunch breaks.

In a dialogue, people make a special effort to meet and genuinely try to understand the other person's point of view.

In dialogue, we use certain skills that will help us have a shared understanding of the issues raised.

Bear in mind these pointers and set the ground rules when you lead a dialogue:

• The session should help the group to go beyond the surface issues to explore underlying reasons and root causes for the incidents or issues raised.

• Make sure you and your colleagues emerge from the dialogue session with a clearer picture of the issues at hand and what the necessary next steps are.

• It is a special time set aside for views to be heard. Make sure everyone has the opportunity to be honest, frank and uninhibited.

Source: Edited from the english@work e-newsletter by 938LIVE. Subscribe to the english@work newsletter.