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Each “Dangerous Discussions” issue should be significant, controversial, and tractable:

•Importance:  Many important stakeholders care a lot about the issue

•Ineffective conflict:  Diverse stakeholders differ strongly and do not communicate comfortably or effectively about the issue

•Realistic hope:  We are likely to make significant improvements by working together civilly and constructively on these issues.

1.  Identify a few Dangerous Discussions Issues

A.  Easy:  Those issues for which it will be easiest to make progress.

B.  Difficult:  Those issues for which it will be most difficult to make progress

[Discuss your answers to the above questions to discover how  you agree/disagree with your colleagues.  Based on these conversations, you can assign priorities and schedule  which Dangerous Discussions Issues your institution should address first.]

 

2. Identify Information Technology Applications

A.  Effective:  Likely to be used in ways that can support communication and collaboration

B.  Impede:  Likely to be used in ways that obstruct communication and collaboration

 

3.  Identify Key Colleagues, Stakeholders
Especially those who control important resources or policies related to some of the
Dangerous Discussions Issues you have selected

	Yourself (Mark all that apply;  double mark the one that is your primary role)	Easiest for you to reach agreement with (Check 2 or 3 in this column)	Hardest for you to reach agreement with (Check 2 or 3 in this column)
Faculty – Full-Time
Faculty – Part-time
Librarian
Faculty or professional development professional
Information Technology Professional
Instructional Design Professional
Chief Academic Officer
Dean
Department Chair
President
Board Member
Other Academic Administrator
Undergraduate Students
Graduate Students
Other:
Other:

Dangerous Discussions:  Goals and Strategies

See:  www.tltgroup.org/dangerousdiscussions.htm

I.    Select issues:  Significant, controversial, and tractable

II.  Bring stakeholders together for civil, constructive conversations

•(Re)Formulate issues fairly and inclusively – so that those who hold opposing views are more likely to participate without feeling defensive

•Share essential information

•Keep asking:  “How can we help each other?”  “How can we work together?”

•[Have good facilitators who are prepared to redirect the discussion, call for breaks, or acknowledge that this group may not be able to deal effectively with this issue at this time!]

III.  Use technology:  Support, not undermine, communication and collaboration.

IV.  Build something together!  

•Develop solutions:  Challenge, implement, test, and improve

•[Develop/use Dangerous Discussions guidelines, techniques, technologies, …]

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