Transformative counsellor education through dialogue: Hong Kong example

Generative dialogue: A concept analysis

“…Ann Moir-Bussy (2010) investigated the role of generative dialogue within a transformative counselling program. She presented a description of the development of the concept, arguing that it grew out of the theory of dialogic self.…”

“…She presented a description of the development of the concept, arguing that it grew out of the theory of dialogic self. She pointed out that Scharmer (2000) had developed the concept of generative dialogue in the leadership field and that Gunnlaugson (2007) had then extended and further discussed its characteristics ‘as a practice of conversation that draws on a broader spectrum of ways of knowing mediated by “meta-awareness” rather than discursive reasoning’ (Moir-Bussy, 2010: 161).…”

“…A special emphasis is given to the reflective dialogue and its ‘meta-awareness’ attributes. From her viewpoint, generative dialogue goes beyond the reflective by providing a collective learning space – ‘a holding space that meets the needs of all the participants in the dialogue’ (Moir-Bussy, 2010: 163). Moir-Bussy also maintained that the process leads to a higher-level awareness of those beliefs, habits, schemata and emotions that dominate ways of thinking and potentially do not allow us to really connect, listen and mutually accept the other participants’ thoughts, ideas or opinions.…”

“…Scharmer (2000) introduced this term in order to describe the practice of slowing down the process of dialogue to enable participants to explore/discover new ways of knowing. Learning from attention is described as almost visceral – ‘The stillness within the dialogue [which] makes possible the sensing within one’s body of what might be possible or might become’ (Moir-Bussy, 2010: 163). Thoughtful and reflective silences within the dialogue provide the collective space for the reformulation of experiences and ideas but also for exploration of new possibilities.…”

“…A generative dialogue is thus a more comprehensive, purposeful and integrated practice of conversation. Writing from the perspective of the counselling profession, generative dialogue is explained as the type of discussion that opens for participants a collective new learning space, new knowledge and ground for action (Moir-Bussy, 2010). Canadian education consultants, Townsend and Adams (2010), argued that it is a dynamic interpersonal communication that promotes trust, commitment and mutual respect among professional educators.…”