Suspending assumptions is what leads to a successful dialogue. If dialogue is a communication skill, then suspending assumptions is the key skill within the skill. There is no magic formula in terms of learning how to do this -- you basically pay attention. But for those who are new to this concept, Peter Senge shares an exercise in Chapter Nine ("Mental Models") of The Fifth Discipline. The exercise is called "Left-Hand Column Work"; it is an exercise that I have used myself in my consulting work. In The Fifth Discipline, Senge writes: "The left-hand column exercise always succeeds in bringing hidden assumptions to the surface and showing how they influence behavior" (181). For this Discussion exercise I would like each of you to practice "suspending assumptions." As you have learned this semester, learning how to suspend assumptions is very important when you are taking place in a dialogue with other people -- but it is also crucially important as you dialogue with yourself throughout each and every day! For this Discussion exercise, please read the "Left-Hand Column" section from Peter Senge's book (pp. 180-183). You can apply it to any situation you are in (or have been in) at work or at home. Read what Senge has to say about this, but basically, all you are really doing is scripting what you said to another person on one side of a page/document; and on the other side you are scripting what you did not say but were thinking. Once you are finished, do take a good look at what happens for you. It is a simple exercise, but can be a real eye-opener. The learning takes place when you "process" what you have done. Senge writes: "The most important lesson that comes from seeing 'our left-hand columns' is how we undermine opportunities for learning in conflictual situations."

For this Discussion, write at least 300 words. Again, word counts are minimums -- you may write over the word count if you need to.

Respond to the following prompt:

What did you learn as a result of participating in the left-hand column exercise? It is best if you briefly explain to the reader who the other person was and what the situation that you addressed involved; that is, give the reader a bit of context before explaining what you learned as a result of moving through the exercise. The goal here is to explain what you learned as clearly as possible. If you feel that you did not really learn anything, then explain yourself as to why you feel that is. OR, if you feel you did not really learn anything, ask 2-3 questions about the process that was confusing to you and why you asked the questions.

Respond thoughtfully to at least TWO of your classmates' posts. Were your experiences similar or dissimilar; if so how? Explain yourself. Sharing any other thoughts on the exercise is fine as well. Write at least 200 words per response.