Controlled dialogue
Develop more careful listening through progressively looser dialogue rules.
30–60 minutes · 3 people per group
Use this activity in the Studio →Source timing: 30 minutes - 1 hour. The range above is given by the source. Source group guidance: 3 people per group. This describes the playing group, not a maximum attendance for the whole event.
Intention / Goal
Develop more careful listening through progressively looser dialogue rules.
Materials
Timer
Facilitator & access notes
The source specifies 3 people per working group, not a total session capacity of 3. Do not impose this structure on people who are upset or unwilling. Use experienced facilitation for an existing conflict.
How to facilitate it
- Form a consenting trio: two people in dialogue and an observer supporting the agreed format.
- Begin with short contributions that the listener repeats accurately before replying.
- Move to a stage where the listener summarises before replying.
- Finally, invite a response that addresses the concerns just heard and reflect on what improved listening.
Reflection prompts
- Notice: What did this activity reveal about how we work together?
- Carry forward: What would you like to try next?
Credit & lineage
Seeds for Change (documented version; original creator not established).
Concise original Playformation facilitator wording based on the Seeds for Change guide. Consent/access alternatives and estimated planning defaults are identified; this is not a claim of original authorship.
Anti-copyright: you may copy, adapt, use and distribute this adapted entry, provided the resulting work remains anti-copyright. Source: https://seedsforchange.org.uk/resources
Seeds for Change: Controlled dialogue ↗
Seeds for Change facilitation tools PDF, page 38 ↗
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