What is the role of dialog in the change process?

Dialog is defined as a sustained collective inquiry into the processes, assumptions,

and certainties that compose everyday experience. Research suggests that organizational learning is enhanced when people gather for "dialog.". An important consequence of effective organizational dialog is the reduction of "defensive routines," which are policies, practices, or actions that prevent people involved in a group activity from being embarrassed or threatened, and, at the same time, prevent people from learning how to reduce the causes of embarrassment or threat. Defensive routines can adversely impact the organization's ability to implement large-scale strategic change.