It's Not Just Talk
A Working Model for
Differentiating Dialogue from Discussion
by Diana Kardia, Ph.D.

Discussion thrives primarily on ideas, with little or no connection made between those ideas and the lived and personal experiences of those in the room.

Dialogue integrates personal experience to deepen our own and others' understanding of conceptual, political, and abstract issues.

Discussion identifies general principles, theoretical frameworks, and collective themes. It creates connections among ideas and at best forms a theoretical or intellectual community.

Dialogue uncovers specificities, contradictions, paradox, and a deeper understanding of one's own unique reality, as well as respect for the individual reality experienced by others. Dialogue creates connections among people and forms the basis for enduring engagement.

Discussion operates under the assumption of an "equal playing field," with little or no acknowledgment of status, identity and power differences in the room. This limits the interaction to the pre-existing boundaries, habits, and silences associated with these differences.

Dialogue deliberately and consciously explores and dismantles status, identity and power differences, creating new spaces and opportunities for connection, visibility and truth.

Discussion seldom acknowledges or explores the effect of the discussion on those participating in the discussion. Emotions may be present in discussions, but they are seldom named and sometimes unwelcome.

In dialogue, the effects of the experience are key to the dialogue itself and are used to deepen our understanding of personal realities, group dynamics, the content being discussed, and the implications of our exchange.

Discussion aims toward clarity based on the assumption that reality is stable and predictable. As individuals participate in discussions, they typically have the goal of saying the 'right' (intelligent, polished, etc.) thing.

Dialogue welcomes disruption, disequilibrium, confusion, and the destabilization of personal and collective realities. In dialogue, our mistakes, biases, and shortsightedness can sometimes be the most important thing we have to offer to the process of bringing about personal and social change.