Tuesday, December 2, 2008

integrating theory--dialogue

As Griffin points out in Chapter 36, a number of communication theories center on the notion of dialogue, the final principle in the list. In the public speaking book I mentioned in my previous entry, dialogue plays a prominent role, particularly in the listening part of public speaking. In the book, I argue that ethical public speaking requires dialogue, in which speakers and listeners communicate with each other to create meaningful communication. Dialogue focuses primarily on content, taking a collaborative approach in which listeners invite speakers to express their ideas. Listeners are concerned more with arguments, reasoning, evidence, and claims rather than with criticizing delivery.

In the book I go on to describe a recent survey of employee satisfaction in which WL Gore & Associates was ranked at the top of the list. The company's success stemmed from creating effective dialogue between subordinates and supervisors. In all highly-ranked companies, bosses genuinely sought out employee feedback, then listened to and acted on their concerns. For companies where bosses talked a lot and listened little, employees reported scant confidence in the company’s leadership, greater levels of stress, and a strong desire to find a new job. Although Griffin's "cause for pause" indicates that dialogue is difficult to define and achieve, it's still a critical part of effective communication, as so many theorists point out.

~ Professor Cyborg

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