They describe the specific skills and guidelines needed to practice dialogue. They then describe the general transformative potential of dialogue, and its particular benefit to the problem-solving process. The authors close by reviewing two cases in which dialogue helped to transform organizational culture. Within discussion participants tend to remain attached to their particular points of view. Each participant attempts primarily to persuade others to adopt her perspective.
Discussion then can lead to division and rigidity.
In contrast, dialogue requires participants to suspend attachment to their particular points of views. It stresses respect for others, listening, trust, and the shared pursuit of deeper understanding. In effect, the practice of dialogue is a practice of community building. This increased sense of community can, in turn, transform the organizational culture. Our usual thinking overemphasizes the individual.