Leading Libraries Series: Leading for Dialogue
The Leading for Dialog set consists of the following modules:
You are in the Skilfull conversing module
Skilfull conversing
The big idea: dialogue in groups
Today, much of the work of leadership takes place in group conversation – we might be leading meetings and workshops or participating with our colleagues. Oddly, though, we are rarely trained to converse well, to facilitate conversations or
to be aware of ‘what we are up to’ in conversation.
The organisational consultant and family therapist, David Kantor, has created a very useful model of ‘conversational actions’, based on a discipline called ‘speech act theory’. Speech act theory reminds us that everything we say is, in fact
an action – we express feelings, declare our opinions, make requests and promises etc. etc. Kantor took this rather complex idea and pointed out that there are, essentially, four types of action we can take with our speech. He calls this
'The Four Player Model'. You can read more in this interview with David Kantor from Business Insider - How The Most Effective People Learn To Read A Room written by Max Nisen.
Kantor's action stances
As you will remember from the introductory module in this set, in order to lead for dialogue we need to balance our inquiry and advocacy skills. If we are able to do this, we can create a space for dialogue that genuinely allows us to make
meaning, share perspectives and co-create together.
Kantor's four player model helps us pay attention to our speaking so that we can:
- consider and include others’ opinions, feelings and points of view
- build on the ideas suggested by others
- understand the dynamics in our conversations and intervene where necessary.
Kantor identified four possible 'conversational actions' when we choose to speak in a group. Two of these actions (Moving and Opposing) are used when we want to advocate a certain point of view or opinion. The other two (Following and Bystanding)
support a more inquiry-based approach when we are seeking to build on the ideas of others or to understand the dynamics in the conversation.
Advocacy skills:
- Movers create direction by offering a proposition
- Opposers allow for correction by challenging ideas and offering contrasting views
Inquiry skills:
- Followers allow for completion by adding their voice to moves and suggesting next steps.
- Bystanders bring perspective to content and process
When someone moves they are initiating an action. They carry, for the moment, the focus of the conversation.
Another person listening to this initial proposal might agree and want to support what is being said – following the first.
A third person, watching these two agree, may think to him or herself “there is something not quite right” and steps in to challenge what they are saying – or opposing.
A fourth person, who has been observing the entire situation describes what they have seen and heard – providing perspective – by bystanding.
A healthy conversation, argues Kantor, consists of all four of these actions being used in balance. None is left out. And the people in the conversation find themselves free to occupy any of the four positions at any time.
The rest of this module focuses on these action stances in depth so you can:
- reflect on your own habits and preferences in conversation
- consider experimenting with new stances to improve your flexibility
- practice your new approaches with a group of colleagues.
Continue to: Choiceful conversations
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