Ellinor and Gerard, in Dialogue propose that the roots of the problems that are causing our discontent are found deep within our individual psyches and the culture we share. Dialogue holds one important key to widening the arteries of organizations by transforming the consciousness of those who engage in it. Because of its dynamic and creative nature, dialogue moves people beyond the individual focus to the larger contexts of group and system dynamics. It results in a transcendence of formal job roles, status, race, gender, and other barriers that rob people and organizations of opportunities. Systemic practices and perspectives can be elucidated, our organizational culture and mental maps examined and reshaped.
Dialogue becomes both the diagnostic and the perscriptive tool.
We become more conscious of and have more choices around how we approach and solve systemic dilemmas. For those of us who are committed to promoting and supporting organizational efforts for equity and valuing diversity, their representation of the power tool of dialogue renews the urgency of doing the work deeper and better with our clients, and with each other. Dr. Carolyna Smiley-Marquez is an organizational consultant, specializing in diversity and provides training in effectively communicating across differences about differences.