Foundations in Constructive Dialogue Public Cohort (6/26/25)

Seats are still available for our most popular virtual workshop—Foundations in Constructive Dialogue on June 26th

What is Constructive Dialogue?

Learn more about the form of conversation that can bridge divides and lead to understanding.

Constructive Dialogue

Constructive Dialogue

Constructive dialogue is a form of conversation in which people who have different values, beliefs, and perspectives seek to build new ways to understand and interact with each other, even as they sustain commitments to their own principles and perspectives. The format is ideal for discussing important, complicated issues that can divide people.

Constructive dialogue prioritizes developing mutual understanding – the act of striving to better understand others’ views while feeling that others are striving to better understand yours. Constructive dialogue may lead people to enrich their own perspective or worldview, clarify their differences, discover common ground, or even create the possibility of future collaborative action that may have previously seemed impossible.

Constructive dialogue can be further defined by what it is not. Constructive dialogue is not about persuading others or winning an argument; and it is not about proving the other side wrong. While these may be reasonable goals for other forms of conversation, these are not the aims of constructive dialogue.

Constructive Dialogue 2

Five Principles of Constructive Dialogue

Treating a conversation as a zero-sum battle, where one side wins and the other loses, triggers defensiveness, reduces the chances of learning, and strains relationships. When you focus on winning, you often lose. Instead, try approaching conversations with curiosity and a desire to understand. You'll find it can be contagious.

There's so much hidden beneath people's statements. Asking thoughtful questions can reveal the context, values, and motivations behind their views, creating new possibilities for connection across differences.

Stories move us emotionally. They add context to facts and figures and allow us to share our perspectives without telling someone else their view is wrong. Shifting from debating to sharing why an issue matters to you—and inviting others to do the same—fosters mutual understanding.

In the heat of difficult conversations, our fight-or-flight response often takes over, leading us to react in ways we later regret. But if you pause to regain control of your emotions, you can respond rather than react—enabling you to make deliberate choices that move conversations forward.

Finding common ground—whether big or small—can anchor a conversation in the midst of conflict. When we connect meaningfully with people who differ from us and focus on what we share, trust can grow and understanding can deepen—even when differences and disagreement remain.

Follow Our Work

Sign up for our higher education newsletter to get regular updates on our research, product releases, and the science & practice of constructive dialogue.

Privacy Notice

This site uses cookies. Please click accept to continue, or visit our Privacy Policy to learn more.