The Pfeiffer Book of Successful Conflict Management Tools

Chapter 2.9. Alter Ego: Saying What You Mean

Duane C. Tway

Goals

• To encourage open, honest communication.

• To offer participants an opportunity to practice honest communication and receive feedback on their communication.

• To promote the idea that open, honest communication leads to more effective problem identification and solution.

Group Size

Six to thirty participants, all from the same organization, department, or unit. The participants work in pairs for the majority of the activity. If there is an uneven number of participants, the facilitator may participate.

Time Required

Thirty-five to fifty minutes.

Materials

• A flip-chart poster with a controversial issue (for example, job sharing, periodic drug testing, affirmative action, sexual-harassment policies, ...