Guidelines for Healthy Dialogue

We developed the following guidelines for healthy dialogue to make sure that our Community Conversation is always a safe place for sharing and for building relationships.

1. Try to be present as fully as possible.

2. Everyone should feel encouraged and empowered to speak.

3. Conversation involves both deep listening and honest sharing.

4. Seek to listen more than you speak.

5. Trust each other with your feelings and experiences.

6. Feel free to ask if you don’t understand.

7. Question not just what you hear, but also what you think.

8. Always keep an open mind and an open heart.

9. Dialogue is not about agreement, but deepening understanding.

10. Speak your truth in ways that respect other people’s truth.

11. Use “I” statements to describe your views and feelings.

12. Be vulnerable instead of defensive.

13. Respond to others with open and honest questions.

14. When the going gets rough turn to wonder and intrigue.

15. Set aside judgment and listen to yourself and others more deeply.

16. Pay close attention to your reactions and responses.

17. Refrain from trying to fix each other.

18. Support each other through the process of sharing.

19. It is okay to change your mind.

20. Do not let your voice dominate the conversation.

21. Highlight minority voices as much as possible.
22. Honor the identity and integrity of everyone with mutual respect.