Reflective Role-Playing in the Development of Dialogic Skill

Whether an organization prospers depends importantly on the relationships among its participants, and central to the success of relationships is the process of dialogue. This article describes an action-based educational practice for enhancing dialogical and relational skills among members of an organization. The effort draws on concepts of participatory research, collaborative learning, and dramatic acting. Specifically, the practice combines collaborative role-playing, polyphonic reflection, goal articulation, and facilitator cooperation to achieve educational ends. The project was carried out together with approximately 60 organizational members over a period of 18 months. Results suggest that this combination of practices enhanced dialogic, relational, and reflective skills among leaders and employees of the organization. Among the various results, particular attention is here paid to the outcomes of reflective role-playing for acquiring bodily awareness, changing and expanding perspectives, developing critical self-reflection, and enhancing relational consciousness.