We tackled the reasons that cause failure of dialogue to avoid them.
The personality of a successful speaker is one of the most important success factors of dialogue.
A successful speaker is knowledgeable, communicative, encouraging, to the point, enthusiastic, connected and influential.
Knowledgeable:
He understands that the aim of conversation is to reach a middle ground where all the parts stand on. He listens to all the points of views and offers all visualizations and solutions.
Communicative:
He is able to use body and verbal language very well. He understands that body language and eye contact are more critical and effective than words. He uses eye contact with all the interlocutors and never concentrates on one person only.
Encouraging:
He should encourage interlocutors to participate in discussion or dialogue. He should not interrupt them, give them the full opportunity to express their points of view and encourage them to proceed with their discussion.
He should never rebuke, show displeasure or disinterest. Those reactions will turn the dialogue to failure.Discussing personal experiences is so crucial as it encourages others to share their own experiences too.
To the point
He should be to the point and summarizes what the interlocutors say in concise points that prevent being occupied in minor details and keeps their attention undivided and stresses on points agreed on.
Repeating what has been agreed on is a success factor. The successful speaker uses these expressions: I conclude that what you are saying is….
I think you meant … Am I right?
These questions stress on the ideas discussed and asserts the points of interlocutors to avoid any misunderstanding.
Enthusiastic
He understands completely the importance of discussion and communication. He can also transfer his enthusiasm to others; develop the urge in them to want something aligned with his want.
Connected
He is not apart from the other interlocutors but he is one of them. Feeling they are one, interlocutors will be able to help and support one another to challenge obstacles.
Influential
He expresses his understanding through positive expressions:
I am glad you’re participating in the dialogue
You have played a great role in our discussion
He also understands the bad effect of these expressions:
Sorry, your experience can not let me take your opinion seriously
Your suggestion is weak
Your opinions are prejudiced
A successful speaker knows he is a leader. When the dialogue succeeds, it means all the interlocutors were successful as well.
“It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership.” Nelson Mandela
Conclusion
A successful dialogue is not a single situation; it is a life style that a person needs to be trained on during his different life stages. It begins since childhood by raising the ability of effective communication in the child. Then it comes the role of school not to mention the importance of worship place that germinate high principles and values and accordingly one’s ability to communicate better. I conclude with some lines I admire:
“No man is an island,
Entire of itself,
Every man is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.”
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
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