Leading Libraries Series: Leading for Dialogue
Leading through dialogue
Resource list
Web accessible articles
Dialogue in organisations
An article summarising Isaacs' key ideas from MIT Spectrum, the public access website of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 'The Art of Dialogue'
An article describing how 'conversation' is the lifeblood of organisations with lots of practical tips for improving the quality of dialogue - Juanita Brown and David Isaacs, written for The Systems Thinker website, Conversation as a core business process
A more in depth description of the process of dialogue from one of the original authors on communication as a key aspect of leadership, Edgar Schein, The process of dialogue: Creating effective communication, again from The Systems Thinker website
A more corporate focus which makes the link between conversation and leadership skills from Boris Groysberg and Michael Slind for the Harvard Business Review in 2012, Leadership is a conversation
Inquiry skills
This open access tool from The Presencing Institute was designed to help people to conduct a depth interview into a colleague or partners world. It has some excellent tips for how to set up a conversation to understand new perspectives and
a wide range of open inquiry questions. Dialogue Interview proforma
Videos
Dialogue in organisations
A brief talk on Conversations that can change the world from William Isaacs which outlines the importance of dialogue in complex situations
Inquiry skills
An expert-led talk on The art of asking the right questions from Big Think
Recommended books
Dialogue in organisations
William Isaacs' key work on dialogue in organisations, 'Dialogue – The Art of Thinking Together'
Inquiry skills
A straightforward book on inquiry as a foundational leadership skill. Leading with Questions: How Leaders Find the Right Solutions by Knowing What to Ask. Michael Marquardt (Jossey Bass, 2005)
Edgar Schein's original book on how an attitude of inquiry can support our work, Humble inquiry – the gentle art of asking instead of telling.
A more in depth look at how asking good questions can transform our work Change Your Questions, Change Your Life: 10 Powerful Tools for Life and Work. Marilee Adams (Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2009; second edition)
Module materials
Slide pack: Introduction and practice
Reflective exercises:
Congratulations
You have reached the end of this section and come to the end of this module. Congratulations on completing the e-learning.
This is the first of a set of four Leading for Dialogue modules within the Leading Libraries Series.
To choose one of the other modules in the Leading for Dialogue set click on the links below:
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