Samtalsdialog

Samtalsdialog is a structured conversational method used to facilitate meaningful, collaborative dialogue between participants with the aim of improving understanding, resolving issues, or making shared decisions. It emphasizes equal participation, active listening, and the role of a facilitator to guide the process.

In Swedish practice, samtalsdialog is employed across settings such as social services, education, workplaces, and family counseling. It draws on dialogic and participatory traditions from psychology and pedagogy, and it may be implemented as a formal intervention, a workshop, or an everyday communication tool to enhance cooperation and problem-solving.

Core elements of samtalsdialog include establishing a clear purpose and ground rules, creating a safe environment for participants to speak openly, and ensuring balanced turn-taking. Techniques commonly used are active listening, paraphrasing, asking open questions, and summarizing for mutual understanding. The process typically follows stages such as opening, exploration of perspectives, generation of options, decision-making, and agreed-upon follow-up actions.

Benefits of samtalsdialog often include increased mutual understanding, trust, and ownership of decisions, as well as improved cooperation among parties. Challenges can arise from power imbalances, time requirements, and the need for skilled facilitation to prevent domination by vocal participants or superficial consensus.

See also: dialogue, active listening, mediation, facilitation. The concept is applied in varied contexts and may be adapted to fit specific organizational or cultural settings.