The TLT Group

Dangerous Discussions
How?
Clothing the Emperor
Mission and Method
MISSION:  Enable stakeholders who seem committed to opposing views to engage in civil, constructive discussion.

Other Guidelines & Ground Rules
for Converting "Dangerous Discussions" to Constructive Communication

PREPARATION

I.   Ask "Why bother?" "Who cares?"
Who must be included?

II.  Describe the issue fairly  
Respect and engage all who might hold different views.

III.   Identify desirable, feasible outcomes: 
"Visions Worth Working Toward"
Focus energies, avoid a task that this approach cannot handle well.

IV.  Establish guidelines, priorities, evidence
Anticipate how different kinds of arguments can be resolved.  Identify the kinds of evidence that can be made accessible and useful to participants.  What kinds of evidence will be respected?  What other factors matter? 
What "trumps" evidence? 
E.g., what priorities might modify the influence of evidence on important decisions about this issue? 

V. Identify confusors that could derail the discussion if people don't recognize and cope with conflicting definitions

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ACTION

VI.  Plan, Assess, Adjust, Do
Progress from informal steering group to action

VII.   Engage deeply
Identify, respect, and address what each person cares about most with respect to this issue.

VIII.  Use technology appropriately
Take advantage of new hybrid options (synchronous & asynchronous;  online & face-to-face;  Blogs, wikis, Web 2.0, Social Networking, ...) for collaboration, discussion, etc.

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Please examine what we offer, adopt what you find useful, and let us know about improvements you recommend or additional requests. 
Click here to send email to gilbert@tltgroup.org.

Click here for other "Dangerous Discussions" topics/questions for faculty, administration, and staff
- (especially, about Teaching, Learning, and Technology) 

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