The Active Dialogue Self-Assessment Inventory is designed to support college union and student activities professionals in self-directed reflection and professional growth.
This tool helps assess the knowledge, abilities, and behaviors needed to facilitate meaningful and effective dialogue in higher education settings. It may be used by professionals leading formal dialogue initiatives, supervising staff, facilitating student engagement, or navigating everyday conversations in their roles.
ACUI Active Dialogue Definition
Active dialogue is a form or style of engagement that permits and invites individuals to create a culture of open communication by learning from one another, hearing each other’s perspectives, and being heard. Active dialogue does not strive to persuade, debate, or convince anyone of someone else’s positions, but rather to create a space for difficult discussions. It is an opportunity to reflect and speak deeply about your values while actively listening to others, allowing for the development of empathy and understanding.
The intent of active dialogue is to move away from conversations that reinforce perceptions and assumptions, to conversations where participants can come to better understand another’s values, concerns, and motivations. It can be used where productive relationships are limited by stereotypes, polarization, and distrust; and when people need to build trust and respect before engaging in decision making, problem solving, or action planning.
*From the 2019 ACUI Active Dialogue Working Group Report
Other Key Definitions
- Implicit (or Unconscious) Bias: Implicit bias refers to automatic mental associations that shape perception and judgment outside of conscious awareness. These patterns develop through experience and influence how we interpret information and respond, especially under time pressure or uncertainty. Reference: https://www.projectimplicit.net/
- Positionality: Positionality is an awareness of how your background, identities, and lived experiences shape how you interpret the world and influence your decisions and interactions. Reference: Phillips, G., et al. (2026). Positionality as Dialog. American Journal of Evaluation, 47(1).
- Intersecting Identities: The idea that a person’s multiple social characteristics (such as roles, group memberships, or social categories) overlap and interact to shape their experiences and how they are perceived in society, rather than existing as separate, isolated elements.
Questions to Ask Yourself Prior to Engaging in Any Dialogue
- How am I coming into the conversation today?
- What am I feeling? Can I name my top three emotions?
- What am I hoping to gain?
- What am I hoping to share?
- How can I express a neutral, open posture?
- How can I show that I am actively listening?
- (If possible) How can I use the physical space to encourage sharing and listening?
- (If possible) Is this the best timing for this conversation to happen?
- What power or privilege do I hold in this space, and what’s the potential impact?