‹ Back

Main Takeaways

• How we listen can make or break a productive dialogue

• Facilitation can keep a discussion on task, on time, and on topic

• A neutral third party can add new perspective and build trust

 

In today’s world, the way we communicate has evolved …and devolved. While we’re technologically able to communicate across continents, languages, and platforms, the ways in which we relate to one another has grown more strained and competitive. This didn’t happen overnight, and overcoming it will take time and sincere effort by everyone. One of the ways we can improve our communication is to improve our listening skill.

 

It is often said that it is better to listen for understanding, not listen to respond. This refers to the behavior of waiting for a person to stop talking so that we can immediately refute the point or deflect to another topic. When we do this, we are not truly hearing what has been said. This results in our conversation partners thinking their input was not heard or valued. Is it any wonder we often avoid certain topics altogether?

Having a facilitator or moderator can help. Facilitation and moderating brings conversation partners together (either one-on-one or in a group) to have a discussion with a third party who can help guide the dialogue. There are several benefit of having a facilitator or moderator present:

• Introducing a new perspective or a subject matter expert can help broaden the group’s understanding of the topic

• If needed, having a third party present can introduce neutrality to a potentially divisive topic

• For brainstorming and idea-generating discussions, a third party can help keep the group on task, on time, and on topic

• For complex discussions (particularly panel discussions), a moderator can ensure balanced speaking time between speakers, and can manage audience questions fluidly

• Third party observers can assess the overall dynamic between participants to help organizers understand the sticking points and opportunities for further action steps

 

Of course, there are many facilitation styles. Finding the correct one means understanding the general goals of the discussion and the perspectives of the participants. For example, let’s say you want to decide what to cook for dinner, so you ask your family for suggestions. There are many options, and everyone suggests something different. You might engage in a decision-making process that factors in how hungry everyone is, whether some people have food allergies, what you’ve eaten on previous nights that week, and how long it would take to cook each suggested meal. By having someone who can consider all those factors, you’re more likely to select something that works for everyone, instead of just deferring to whoever is the loudest, most insistent, or most favored by the decision-maker(s).
 

When dialogue is sincere, we trust one another more, we make better decisions, and we are more likely to follow through with goals.

 

Marohu can help you engage in meaningful, productive dialogue through the following services:

• Facilitation of group discussions

• Moderating or sitting on panel discussions

• Training for staff and/or managers

• Other customized solutions

Learn more here.