8.4
LEVELS OF COMMUNICATING:
DEBATE, DIALOGUE, AND DISCUSSION
Inspired by Peter Senge, Richard Ross, Bryan Smith, Charlotte Roberts, and Art Kleiner.It’s important for a leader to differentiate among debate, discussion, and dialogue, all distinct
processes with different communication purposes. One way to clarify them is to visualize all
three along a continuum on which the communication purpose ranges from:
➠ winning—as in debate, to
➠ deciding—as in discussion, to
➠ gaining mutual understanding and shared commitment—as in dialogue.Debateis a contest with words. It’s about winning or losing. Thus, people defend their
views and avoid evidence that would weaken their positions. This communication process may
have limited uses when an organization is faced with an either–or situation. In most cases,
leaders do not want to produce winners and losers; thus the next two communication pro-
cesses are more useful. [For more information on either–or situations see ☛7.4 Polarities.]
Discussionis about surfacing difficult issues, the data underlying these issues, and the rea-
soning that supports various positions. The communication purpose is to analyze, decide, and
achieve closure (e.g., to make a decision, reach an agreement, or identify a set of priorities).
Successful discussion requires that the leader:
❑ Provide clarity about what you want in order to avoid misleading others about your
intentions.
❑ Outline an agenda and context for the discussion to ensure a single focus and minimal
distractions.
❑ Develop a meeting climate with a high level of openness and trust.
❑ Balance advocacy and inquiry during the discussion.
❑ Ensure understanding and agreement through summarizing.
❑ Stay conscious of and challenge your own awareness, thinking, and emotions, as well
as the group’s.
❑ Explore impasses and encourage new perspectives by asking questions such as, “What
do we agree on?” or “What do we disagree on?” or “Can we pinpoint the source of dis-
agreement (e.g., facts, methods, goals, values)?”242 SECTION 8 TOOLS FORCOMMUNICATION
Debate Discussion Dialogue
Beating down Taking apart Building together