Men and women are able to interact with one another in many ways: they can sing, dance and play together with little difficulty but their ability to talk together about subjects that matter deeply to them seems invariably to lead to dispute, division and often to violence."

David Bohm

A one-day 'taster' session that will introduce you to some of the principles and practices of dialogue and their application to everyday experience. By exploring how conversation really works, we will develop our understanding of what determines our thinking and impacts on our ability to express our authentic voice, to listen and really hear and to be effective and powerful leaders.

This will be an experiential and participatory workshop that will focus on applying dialogue practices and actions to overcome stuck patterns of conversation and dysfunctional communication. Developing awareness of what works well, through detecting what's really happening when you are in the flow of conversation, will be a central part of this introductory day.

Cost: £350 plus VAT

"How can we solve our tough problems without resorting to force? How can we overcome the apartheid syndrome in our homes, workplaces, communities and countries…? The answer to these questions is simple, but it is not easy. We have to bring together the people who are co-creating the current reality to co-create new realities. We have to shift from downloading and debating to reflective and generative dialogue. We have to choose an open way over a closed way."

Adam Kahane

A two-day session that will introduce dialogue as a leading edge of OD practice which is being used increasingly in organisations to enable transformational culture change.

Bringing together groups of people in any system and engaging them in thinking and talking collectively about what really matters, can be the single most powerful means of achieving an astonishing breakthrough in performance.

This requires the ability to lead and participate in powerful and productive conversations. Yet the importance of 'talk', as the source of all action, is frequently overlooked. This is despite research showing that highly effective teams engage in skilful conversation, which enables them to be extremely well connected and maintain consistently high quality relationships.

This will be a practical and participatory workshop in which participants will have the opportunity to learn more about dialogue in action.

Cost: £650 plus VAT [not including overnight accommodation where needed]

"When we face problems or disagreements today, we have to arrive at solutions through dialogue. Dialogue is the only appropriate method. One-sided victory is no longer relevant. We must work to resolve our conflicts in a spirit of reconciliation and always keep in mind the interests of others. We cannot destroy our neighbours. We cannot ignore their interests. Doing so would ultimately cause us to suffer."

The Dalai Lama

A one-year practice-based development programme for leaders in organisations who are, or will be, involved in enabling transformational change. To benefit from the programme it is important that you;

1. Are committed to a participatory approach to change
2. Recognise that the nature and quality of conversations in your organisation are fundamental to its future success

The programme will consist of six linked 2-day participatory development sessions that will help you to integrate a dialogic approach into your practice as you lead change processes. You will work on the personal and organisational issues and needs you are facing, applying what you are learning in the programme to the real challenges you are encountering in your day-to-day role. We will also support you to share what you learn with others to increase the capacity within your organisation to work dialogically.

We will be offering two programmes in 2011. Programme 1 will be tailored to meet the needs of leaders in organisations and Programme 2 will be for independent consultants. There are 15 places available on each programme.

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Cost: £3,900 plus VAT [not including overnight accommodation]

"Dialogue kindles a new mode of paying attention - to the assumptions taken for granted, the polarisation of opinions, the rules for acceptable and unacceptable conversation and the methods for managing differences."

David Bohm

"Mindfulness is a way of cultivating an honest and clear awareness of who we are at a physical, emotional and mental level. Our tendencies, characteristics, motives and intentions are identified as they arise and thus we see that we can choose to let go of our conditioned ways of reacting and relating."

Sonia Moriceau

A series of two-day sessions for people who want to deepen their dialogue practice:

• June 2011 - Dialogue in Action: Opening the power of 'here and now'
• September 2011 - Dialogue in Action: Being the change you want to see
• December 2011 - Dialogue in Action: Resolving difference and conflict

Each of these sessions will integrate the practice of mindfulness, which is so important in dialogue. By paying attention to what is happening within us while we are listening, speaking or being in silence, we are able to notice our judgments, emotions and impulses as they arise.

This "direct seeing" [as opposed to "thinking about" what just happened or what might happen in the future] gives us the power to prevent or suspend automatic and impulsive responses, and frees us to generate more sensitive and purposeful actions.

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• Q: What differentiates this programme from others like it?
• A: One of the central differences is the emphasis we place on 'being' when we participate in dialogue. We believe the most important dimension of 'being' is mindfulness. Cultivating this quality, which enables us to be non-judgmentally present, is critical to our development as a dialogic leader, practitioner, facilitator or consultant. Productive dialogue, whatever our role in it, requires more than acquiring just a set of skills to be used as part of a 'toolkit'. In other words, it's not just something that we 'do'. Rather, there is a need to focus on 'how' we facilitate, lead, intervene or practice dialogically; our capacity to be fully present in the moment is what enables this. It takes time and effort to integrate the 'being' and the 'doing' in our practice; in working with us you will receive the appropriate level of input, support and challenge to do this throughout your period of learning.
• Q: Are there parts of the programme I must do before I would be allowed to do other parts e.g. could I do 'Building relationships' if I haven't done 'Introducing dialogue'?
• A: Yes, you could do 'Building relationships' if you haven't done 'Introducing dialogue'. Your starting point could also be the Dialogue Development Programme. The 'Dialogue in Action' sessions however, are for those with prior experience and training in dialogue who are looking to extend their practice.
• Q: How do I find out more detail about the contents of the various workshops?
• A: You can find out more by talking with Sarah Hill, the Director of Dialogix and Programme Lead - see contact details here.
• Q: Where are the sessions held?
• A: We use a variety of different locations and high quality venues to suit the particular needs of each group. During 2011, we intend to offer each of the sessions in South West England and Scotland. For more information on venues please contact Sarah Hill.
• Q: Do you ever run in-house sessions for organisations?
• A: Yes, we do. All parts of the programme can be offered within organisations and are personalised to meet specific needs. Please contact Sarah Hill to discuss your requirements.