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Dangerous Discussion Issues
- Significant, Controversial, Tractable
Dangerous Discussion issues are characterized
by ineffective conflicts and realistic hopes. For these issues, diverse stakeholders:
1. hold strong, varied opinions, and
2. cannot communicate often, easily, or effectively enough.
However, there is also good
reason to believe that we are likely
to make significant improvements by working together civilly and constructively
on these issues.
As members of
academic communities we, especially, should be able to deal honestly, openly,
respectfully, and constructively with these issues.
Specific lists of issues, topics, ...
[Change
title from
"Dangerous Discussions" to... ?]
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Goals
Identify Dangerous Discussion issues that have the potential, if resolved even
partially, for contributing to significant improvements in teaching and learning
(with technology). Enable and help diverse groups in higher education to
work together civilly on these issues and to develop and implement realistic
responses to them. Use technology effectively in ways that support, rather
than undermine, effective communication and collaboration to achieve these
goals.
Find or build new options that benefit as many as possible, while increasing
mutual respect and understanding among participants.
Convert dangerous discussions into constructive conversations:
Encourage heat and light without flames.
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I.
Select issues that are
significant, controversial, and tractable
Help participants identify “Dangerous Discussions” issues that they can
address effectively together in higher
education -- ranging from within student project teams to meetings of the
president’s cabinet – and beyond.
- Issues relevant to higher education.
- Issues relevant to improving teaching and learning with technology.
- Issues important to everyone involved.
- Issues where many stakeholders incorrectly see their only options as win
or lose, defend or attack.
- If key stakeholders can work together civilly and effectively on one of
these issues, it is likely they can make significant improvements.
- Help participants recognize and
acknowledge situations where this collaborative, constructive approach cannot
work.
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II.
Bring diverse stakeholders
together for civil, constructive conversations (face-to-face, online, hybrid)
There are many ways to structure a discussion
about Dangerous Discussions issues. There are almost as many different motivations and
goals for addressing these issues as there are stakeholders in the results of
the dialogue. Some approaches are more likely to facilitate civil and
constructive dialogue. Others are more likely to bury opportunities for
real solutions.
We hope to help you
work through dangerous Us/Them discussions. We try to minimize unnecessary acrimony
and maximize constructive give and take - to help you eliminate the flames,
reduce the heat, and illuminate the real solutions.
A. (Re)Formulate issues
fairly and inclusively
Identify
and influence contextual factors that
make a specific topic/question more or less dangerous.
Formulate challenging topics/questions in
ways that obviously respect opposing views (while acknowledging any widely
shared opinions). Show respect for the needs and hopes of diverse stakeholders; make all
participants feel that their viewpoints are being fairly represented.
B. Share essential information
Assemble and provide the minimum information necessary - adapted to
participants’ own institutions, situations,
and current conditions - with as much clarity and as little bias as
possible.
Make it accessible to all stakeholders before it is too late to be useful.
C. Keep asking (not
rhetorically!):
“How can we help each other?”
“How can we work together?”
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The facilitator/leader visibly respects and is respected by all those who
hold conflicting views or goals.
- Begin with these questions: Why bother? Who cares? Who is needed? What
are the real options? What is likely to help or hinder?
- Deal constructively with strong feelings. When
necessary, structure these conversations to tolerate the expression of
strong feelings as participants work together to identify and overcome
obstacles.
- Acknowledge and move beyond impasses toward constructive action; don’t get
stuck on the past. Don't waste people's time! Recognize conditions or situations when this collaborative, constructive approach
is not
working. Acknowledge the need for
alternative approaches. If necessary, take a break or give up.
D. Use information technology,
media,...
Find ways to use information technology, media, and practices effectively to
support, rather than undermine, effective communication and collaboration.
Facilitate honest, open, mutually respectful, constructive discussion
face-to-face and online – separately or in “hybrid” combinations.
E. Develop/use guidelines,
techniques, technologies, …
Offer, explore, and develop guidelines, techniques,
and examples for converting "Dangerous Discussions" into civil, constructive
conversations.
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III.
Develop Solutions! Build something together!
Challenge, implement, test, and improve
solutions. Help participants develop implementation
plans and take first steps.
Find or build new "solutions" for specific Dangerous Discussions issues that may benefit as many as possible,
while increasing mutual respect and understanding among participants. The
process is not complete until acceptable solutions are found! [Or impasse is
reached.]
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"Dangerless
Discussions?"
[Note: Here’s a tough issue
where I already need some help! I welcome suggestions for an alternative title
instead of "Dangerous Discussions". Some early responders to this paper
have rejected its title because even suggesting that their institution might
need to hold “dangerous discussions” would be too negative or inflammatory.
Perhaps those who find the title unacceptable may especially need to
participate in such efforts, and I don’t want to exclude them. But the title
needs to say or imply that we want to help institutions where some people are
finding it difficult to open (initiate or participate publicly in) some
important conversations.
Would it be any better to say something like “Facing
Tough Issues Together”? We cannot avoid acknowledging that, among those whose
participation in the discussions would be essential, some feel they would be
risking too much to participate under present conditions.
What about “Daring Discussions” or “Courageous Conversations”?
Please send your suggestions to Steve Gilbert at
GILBERT@TLTGROUP.ORG] Back to Top of Page |
