Communication and Theatre 4/514

Issues in Organizational Communication

Dialogue

Why is it ‘unfortunate’ that studies of organizations have tended to focus on individual acts?

Dialogue = discursive coordination in the service of social ends.

Dimensions of dialogue:

Dialogue originates in the public sphere.

• Intersubjectivity

•Avoids ‘mind’ as starting place.

Dialogue is a form of coordinated action.

• John Shotter: joint-action.

• There are no comprehensible monologues . . .

Dialogue efficacy is bodily and contextually embedded.

• Speaking and all of the nonverbals communicate.

• The power of words varies by situation.

Dialogue efficacy is historically and culturally situated.

•We have to know when we are there and . . .

•Where we are.

Dialogue may serve both positive and negative purposes.

“Which dialogue is needed to get what I (my group) want?”

Dialogue brings form to life . . .

• Work

• Family

• Friends

• Etc.

Generative vs. Degenerative dialogue?

Gergen’s project =

• We are socially constructed (our being)

• Ethics (who we should be . . .)

So, this chapter is about being and becoming . . .

The nature of generative dialogue.

• It is fragile.

• The act of affirmation.

• More voices increase legitimacy.

• But in a situation of civility and respect.

• When should we not engage in generative dialogue?

How is coordination achieved?

•Critique.

•Negotiating coherence.

•Repeating ‘topoi.’

•Metonymy . . . (a piece = whole)

• ‘Let’s talk about the weather . . .

So, history informs and limits current possibilities . . . How are we to proceed?

To know how to succeed at dialogue.

• Be able to perform = dance.

• Know when you are close to agreement . . . Reflexive punctuation.

• Be inclusive . . . Not ‘I’ but create bonds.

Let’s get dysfunctional . . .

• Negation . . .

• Obliterates alternative

• Pre-empts dialogue

• ≠ is weakness

• The article is too optimistic.

The individual is both responsible and powerless. Respond.

What is the impact of narrative revelation?

Self reflexivity leads to polyvocality . . .

Appreciative inquiry = positive experiences and hopeful futures.

• Mutual affirmation

• Productive differences

• Individual blame avoided

End of Dialogue Session