Dialectic

McGeough Training Limited

THE AUTHENTIC SOCRATIC METHOD

2014 - 2015 PROGRAMMES

THE REAL DRIVER OF CHANGE

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I would trade

all of my technology for

an afternoon with Socrates.

STEVE JOBS

The Classroom of The Future, Newsweek, 2001.

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Why Dialectic? For the past 25 years I have gone into organisation after organisation,

addressing all sorts of problems related to managing people,

communication and effecting change, and I am entirely convinced that

the key to resolving all of these difficulties is Dialectic.

So much more than mere question and answer, the Socratic method, or

“The Art of Dialectic” as Socrates called it, is a comprehensive approach

to managing ourselves and navigating us through our daily interactions

with others. Its ability to shift mindsets and illuminate our thought

processes has stood the test of time for over 2,000 years.

I earnestly believe that it is the master key in driving change, in

particular because of its capacity to:

- Free us from our assumptions and challenge fixed thinking

- Remove limiting ideas which impede performance and prevent action

- Move us beyond vested interests, silos and “my patch” mentalities

- Make us more reasonable, more open and less fearful

- Create an environment where innovation and creativity flourish

Socrates never doubted the capacity of Dialectic to free us from our fixed

positions and habitual ways of doing things, indeed it is the only thing

that can do this effectively.

I am very happy to announce the launch of the Dialectic programme. I

believe it will be of profound consequence to managers and will mark a

turning point in how they engage with people and get things done.

BRIAN McGEOUGH

McGeough Training Limited

Brian McGeough .

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The Dialectic skill set is remarkably transferable. It is for this

reason that we find its application to be effective in so many

fields across generations, from the corporate boardroom to the

rugby pitch, from ancient Greece to the 21st century.

Shifts Thinking & Positions

Raises people out of ingrained and habitual ways

of thinking.

Highlights unexamined beliefs and assumptions

and safeguards against people becoming fixed on

their own view of something.

Challenges the Status Quo

Cultivates a spirit of enquiry, openness and

curiosity.

Safeguards against complacency and the

'repeating the past' mentality.

Leads people to examine their attitudes, thinking

and behaviour.

Improves Performance

Drives continuous improvement.

Develops mental agility and ‘quickness’ of mind.

Brings people to take ownership and

responsibility.

Strengthens capacity for independent thought,

reasoning and analysis.

Builds strength of character, confidence that is

independent of circumstance.

Fosters integrity and cultivates humility.

Unlocks Innovation & Creativity

Creates a space for reflection and re-

examination allowing new insights to arise.

Shifts stagnation and paralysis and creates a

window for innovation and creativity.

Eliminates Small-mindedness

Dissolves cliques, silo thinking and ‘protecting my

patch’ attitudes.

Moves people beyond private agendas, egos and

vested interests towards a more expansive

perspective

Minimises unhelpful behaviour, negativity, point-

scoring and one-upmanship.

Dispels Fear & Resistance

Creates a non-threatening environment where

sensitive issues can be addressed fully and

people are not afraid to speak.

Dispels resistance and reluctance and fosters

willing engagement and active participation.

The Benefits

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More than a method of discourse and far more than mere

question and answer, Dialectic is an approach, a way of

operating which can be activated in every single task and

interaction, from the mundane to the extraordinary, from the

private to the professional, either effectively by oneself or with

groups of people.

...to the Boardroom From the Canteen...

Where can we use Dialectic? Facilitating meetings

Managing people and performance

Problem solving

Educating and informing

Innovating- “Thinking outside the box”

Fostering creativity, brainstorming etc.

Building unity and agreement

Clarifying ideas, concepts & situations.

Decision making

Analysis, assessment and review

Planning and strategising

Addressing issues of performance with an

individual

Identifying needs, strengths and gaps.

Fostering accountability

Leadership & bringing people with us

Managing & implementing change

Bringing clarity and focus to a discussion or

meeting.

Eliminating negligence

Training and developing people

Deepening understanding and building capacity

Building self-reliance and confidence

Conflict resolution and mediation

Communicating around sensitive subjects or

challenging issues.

Facilitating dialogue between conflicting parties.

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The better the questions we ask,

the better the answers we get.

JAMES KERR

“Legacy: What the All Blacks can teach us about the business of life”

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The culmination of over 25 years of experience and research,

with input from leading authorities in the field of Platonic

study, McGeough Training Ltd has designed a programme

which, for the first time, brings people through the principles

and skills of the Dialectic method, enabling individuals to

incorporate the approach into their personal and professional

lives.

A Practical Training Programme

ONE OF THE ONLY PROGRAMMES OF ITS KIND IN THE WORLD.

Who should attend?

Senior management up

to and including CEO

and Board level.

“Socrates challenged everyone he

met and shook them out of their

fixed ideas and beliefs through his

relentless dialectical activity.

Through the work of Plato we can

understand how he did this and

recapture the process for

ourselves.” DR. DAVID HORAN

Plato Centre, Trinity College Dublin

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Programme Outline The programme consists of 12 workshops presented over 6 months as follows:

SESSION 1

Essentials of Socratic Dialectic Introduction and programme overview

Dialectic: a comprehensive system with many strands

How we are with people vs. using techniques on people

The aim of all communication—what is it that we want?

Rising above argument and counterargument

The two essential rules of Socratic Dialectic

Raising all communication to the highest level - how?

Creating willingness to engage in any topic under any

circumstance

Practical exercises and directions

SESSION 3

Speech That’s Listened To A review and report on the practical exercises

For whose sake do we speak?

The impact our speech has on others.

Does our speech uplift or dishearten?

The damaging effects of ‘force’ in speech

The art of Dialectic questioning - Introduction

Practical exercises and directions

SESSION 5

From Assumptions to Wisdom A review and report on the practical exercises

Operating beyond assumptions - how?

Attributing motives or intentions where there are none

Overcoming doubt and dissolving confusion

Admitting our errors without justification or defence

Bringing hindsight wisdom to present situations

Distinguishing wisdom from consensus - steering clear of

the crowd mentality

Practical exercises and directions

SESSION 2

The Master Key A review and report on the practical exercises

Knowing yourself vs. Knowing about yourself

Developing ourselves - addition or subtraction?

Eliminating habitual communication traits and

behaviours which are unhelpful

The master key to effective communication and

interactions with others

A daily practical exercise for improving mindfulness

The strength in being willing to be proved wrong

Removing obstacles to intelligence and creativity

Practical exercises and directions

SESSION 4

The Dialectic Process A review and report on the practical exercises

Defining and clarifying issues and problems correctly

The need for precision and objectivity

Benefits of having an authentic sense of ‘not knowing’

Moving from multiplicity to unity

Eliminating conflicts caused by different

understandings of the same word or concept

Waking up to variations in how different people

perceive the same issue or situation.

The chief obstacles—I know and I’m right

Practical exercises and directions

SESSION 6

Persuasion & Influence A review and report on the practical exercises

What are we persuaded by?

How to persuade others?

Introducing Rhetoric - the good and the bad

The difference between reasoning and disputing

Exploring argument and counterargument

When to use Rhetoric vs. Dialectic?

Practical exercises and directions

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Programme Outline

SESSION 7

The Art of Dialectic Listening A review and report on the practical exercises

Listening so that nothing is ever lost - how?

Improving our listening skills

Overcoming the obstacles to effective listening

The difference between knowledge and opinion

True and false opinion

Opinion of the best, not of the many

Practical exercises and directions

SESSION 9

The Art of Dialectic Questioning A review and report on the practical exercises

“All learning is recollection” - So what?

Developing the art of asking the right questions

Socratic Questioning vs. Interrogation

Meeting people where they are - how?

Cultivating an enquiring mind - how?

Attention to the means vs. Attachment to results

Developing attention and the capacity to follow

Practical exercises and directions

SESSION 11

Engaging with Individuals A review and report on the practical exercises

Addressing difficult issues with individuals

Application of the Dialectic principles and skills

Creating a template to assist with Dialectic

Discovering how other people see situations

Enquiring rather than telling / lecturing

Highlighting some erroneous ideas that prevent us from

addressing issues on time

Encouraging responsibility and accountability

Practical exercises and directions

SESSION 8

Fearlessness A review and report on the practical exercises

“Fear is of the unknown” — Ignorance or wisdom?

Dissolving the many myths about fear

Overcoming fear within oneself

Bringing truthfulness and integrity into speech

Speaking without rehearsal - how?

Integrity and creating a platform of trust not fear

Practical exercises and directions

SESSION 10

Personal Mastery A review and report on the practical exercises

Being self-controlled rather than controlled by others

Developing unshakeable composure and internal strength

Compassion without sentimentality?

Confidence independent of circumstance

Exploring the link between personal mastery and humility

Freedom from negativity and taking offence

Cultivating a ‘blame free’ approach

Practical exercises and directions

SESSION 12

Engaging with Groups A review and report on the practical exercises

Application of dialectic principles and skills

Functional and behavioural aspects of meetings

An effective approach to ensure full participation

Reduce time-wasting behaviour at meetings

Dialectic vs. consensus or compromise as a method for

decision making

Practical Action Plan & Review

An exercise that highlights the particular areas that we need to

focus on moving forward

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Programme Duration & Format

This is a 6 month programme which consists of 12 workshops (11 half-days + 1 Full Day) presented

twice monthly. The timing of the half-day workshops is 9am - 1pm, and the full day is 9am—5pm.

Individual Support

For the duration of the Dialectic programme, participants have access by telephone and email to the

programme facilitator. In addition, each participant has the option to schedule two 1.5 hour coaching

sessions with the facilitator.

Group Size

Numbers are limited to a maximum of 12 participants.

Fees

€5,750 per participant. The fee includes:

- The programme of twelve workshops

- All programme materials

- Two individual coaching sessions

- All refreshments

Practical Details

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SEPT 2014 OCT 2014 NOV 2014 JAN 2015 FEB 2015 MAR 2015

10th 24th 8th 22nd 5th 19th 14th 28th 11th 25th 11th 25th

Dates

September 2014 Commencement:

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JAN 2015 FEB 2015 MAR 2015 APR 2015 MAY 2015 JUN 2015

15th 29th 12th 26th 12th 26th 16th 30th 14th 28th 11th 25th

January 2015 Commencement:

In House Delivery

This programme can be provided in house by request.

Location

Dublin, Ireland. Participants will be notified of the venue prior to the programme.

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Contact & Booking

Our tailored solutions help organisations to achieve results that

require changes in attitudes, thinking and behaviour. From

working with individuals to driving organisation-wide

transformation, whether it be restoring a dysfunctional situation

to good health or facilitating the search for excellence, the scope

and nature of our work is as diverse as our range of clients.

For more information please visit our website: www.mcgeough.ie

About us

© McGeough Training Limited 2014. All Rights Reserved. No part of this

document may be copied or redistributed without the express

permission of the publisher.

Booking a Place

To reserve your place please contact Valerie on 01 6606677 or by email at valerie@mcgeough.ie

Alternatively you can download the booking form here: www.mcgeough.ie/booking.pdf

Please note that places are limited.

Contact

If you would like to discuss this programme or if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to

contact us.

Tel: +353 (0)1 6606677 Email: info@mcgeough.ie

McGeough Training Limited.

19 Pembroke Road

Ballsbridge,

Dublin 4

© McGeough Training Limited.

19 Pembroke Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, Ireland.

Tel: +353 (0)1 6606677 | Email: info@mcgeough.ie | Web: www.mcgeough.ie

“I am convinced that Dialectic provides us with the most

practical means for dealing with the challenges and

difficulties we encounter when engaging with people and

seeking to effect change.”

- BRIAN McGEOUGH