Step 2 of coaching

The level of basic methods of dialogue
The basic methods of dialogue make collaborative thinking and work real on a certain level. In practise this means that every participant participates in the dialogue, everyone's perspective is listened to, it begins to be possible to give birth to new perspectives, and answers to questions are found through inquiry. The actions included in the basic methods are the following: taking and giving a turn, word-for-word reception, listening, awareness of one's preconceptions and assumptions, suspending and regulating the expression of one's preconceptions and assumptions, sharing incomplete thinking, inquiry and weaving a synthesis. The following method cards correspond to these dialogical actions (for more information, see www.hamk.fi/diale):

• Dialogue tickets
• Word-for-word listening
• Imprisoned by preconceptions
• Suspend and wonder
• Let ideas bud and flourish
• The art of inquiry – the power of questions
• Let's weave a synthesis

When the basic methods have been sufficiently practised, the participants feel that they have gained an understanding of dialogue and what it means in practise. This is an ideal time to proceed to the next level of the coaching programme and begin the moulding of dialogic attitude.