The Dialogue Compass*

A tool for reading the landscape of tension and finding a constructive way forward.

Work in Progress

 

Tension in groups moves through recognisable zones, in both directions. The earlier you read where you are, the more you can do.

THE ZONES

QUICK OVERVIEW

LIGHT GREEN - Tension held      

"We see things differently - but we´re still talking."

Light Green

LIGHT BLUE - Something's wrong

"People are complaining - but not to each other."

Light Blue

BLUE - Sides forming

"It's become us and them."

Blue

INDIGO - Drifting apart

"They don't come to shared spaces any more."

Indigo

PURPLE - Loyalty hardens

"You're either with us or against us."

Purple

RED - Hostility becomes legitimate

"They deserve what's coming to them."

Red

DARK RED - Elimination

Beyond the reach of this tool - the horizon it exists to prevent.

Dark Red

The arrow points both ways. The way back from the deepest conflict runs through what was built while things were still going well.

Explore the zones

About the Compass and its foundation

This version is written for youth workers and peace workers. It is a work in progress - comments welcome.

* A note about the name. We are abandoning the name Resistance Line and looking for an appropriate name for this tool which differs from its parent in many ways. We have considered the Polarity Compass (you might find some versions of this name in the texts) and many other names. For now, we'll stick with Dialogue Compass. Any comments are helpful.

Light Green — Tension held

"We see things differently — but we're still talking."

General markers:

  • Different views are expressed openly and without fear
  • People still listen to each other across the divide
  • Questions are asked to understand, not just to challenge
  • Disagreement is held without the relationship breaking down

Power asymmetry:

  • Those with less power can speak without social cost
  • Those with more power are still willing to listen and engage

Institutional authority is not being used to close conversation down

Light Green — Tension held

"We see things differently — but we're still talking."

General markers:

  • Different views are expressed openly and without fear
  • People still listen to each other across the divide
  • Questions are asked to understand, not just to challenge
  • Disagreement is held without the relationship breaking down

Power asymmetry:

  • Those with less power can speak without social cost
  • Those with more power are still willing to listen and engage

Institutional authority is not being used to close conversation down

Light Green — Tension held

"We see things differently — but we're still talking."

General markers:

  • Different views are expressed openly and without fear
  • People still listen to each other across the divide
  • Questions are asked to understand, not just to challenge
  • Disagreement is held without the relationship breaking down

Power asymmetry:

  • Those with less power can speak without social cost
  • Those with more power are still willing to listen and engage

Institutional authority is not being used to close conversation down

Light Green — Tension held

"We see things differently — but we're still talking."

General markers:

  • Different views are expressed openly and without fear
  • People still listen to each other across the divide
  • Questions are asked to understand, not just to challenge
  • Disagreement is held without the relationship breaking down

Power asymmetry:

  • Those with less power can speak without social cost
  • Those with more power are still willing to listen and engage

Institutional authority is not being used to close conversation down

Light Green — Tension held

"We see things differently — but we're still talking."

General markers:

  • Different views are expressed openly and without fear
  • People still listen to each other across the divide
  • Questions are asked to understand, not just to challenge
  • Disagreement is held without the relationship breaking down

Power asymmetry:

  • Those with less power can speak without social cost
  • Those with more power are still willing to listen and engage

Institutional authority is not being used to close conversation down

Light Green — Tension held

"We see things differently — but we're still talking."

General markers:

  • Different views are expressed openly and without fear
  • People still listen to each other across the divide
  • Questions are asked to understand, not just to challenge
  • Disagreement is held without the relationship breaking down

Power asymmetry:

  • Those with less power can speak without social cost
  • Those with more power are still willing to listen and engage

Institutional authority is not being used to close conversation down