Get ready for the dialogue with this support material, believe in yourself – you’ve got this!
Hooray! You have arrived at the Timeout Dialogue facilitator’s support material.
Timeout is a method that supports the learning of dialogue and conversation skills. With the Timeout, you can practice listening, speaking, raising topics, and facilitating conversations.
Every Timeout Dialogue has a facilitator. The facilitator plans the dialogue and guides it during the conversation. The facilitator keeps track of the schedule and at the end, explains what the next steps will be after the dialogue. There can be one or two facilitators. There are already many Timeout facilitators – and we believe you can do it too! Previous experience in group facilitation can be helpful, but it’s not essential.
You can practice your own and your group’s conversation and listening skills using the activities found on these pages before facilitating the actual Timeout dialogue.
Remember, each Timeout Dialogue is a learning experience, and in the next dialogue, you can utilize what you learned last time. The more Timeout Dialogues you facilitate, the more you will learn. It’s never perfect, and that’s okay. Timeout is a moment shaped by those who take part – a space where there’s no pressure to be perfect.
Timeout is a method for dialogue and constructive conversation. However, it’s important to remember that it’s not suitable for all situations. Timeout works best when the goal is to support constructive conversation, where everyone has the opportunity to participate, if they wish. Timeout can also be used as part of decision-making processes, such as supporting children’s and young people’s participation.
If there is an ongoing conflict, Timeout is not the best way to resolve it. Instead, Timeout can be used to build trust between different people before conflicts arise, or to strengthen trust once a conflict has been resolved.
Timeout is not about persuading, debating, or convincing others, nor is it about pushing your own agenda. The goal is not to reach unanimity or make decisions. Instead, Timeout helps you to better understand yourself, others, and the world. After that, making decisions and solving problems can be easier. Pretty cool, right?
With this support material, you can practice, start, and develop your skills as a Timeout Dialogue facilitator. It’s a good idea for the facilitator to review the material well in advance of each dialogue. Some of the tips may already be familiar to you.
You can print the material for yourself to support the Timeout Dialogue. Tick the box next to each section as you go. However, it’s important to keep in mind that not all facilitation tools are needed in every Timeout Dialogue. Each conversation is different. The most important thing is to explain the Ground Rules to the participants, commit to them together, and ensure that they are followed.
We’d be really happy if you could share your experience with us after the dialogue. You can do so by emailing us at vilja.vonweissenberg@eratauko.fi or by filling out this form.
Have a great dialogue!
