Renowned Dialogue Designer. Founder of Making Conversation. Author. Consultant. Advisor. Educator. Faculty at Esalen Institute.

Fred Dust is the founder of Making Conversation, LLC and works at the intersection of business, society and creativity. As a designer, author, educator, consultant, trustee, and advisor to social and business leaders, he is one of the world’s most original thinkers, applying the craft and optimism of human-centered design to the intractable challenges we face today. Using the methodology in his book Making Conversation, Fred has been working as the Senior Dialogue Designer with the Rockefeller Foundation to explore the future of pressing global needs. He has also partnered with the Einhorn Collaborative and other foundations to host constructive dialogue with leaders ranging from David Brooks, Reverend Jenn Bailey, and Vivek Murthy to rebuild human connection in a climate of widespread polarization, cynicism and disruption.

Fred also serves as faculty at the Esalen Institute. As a former Global Managing Partner at the acclaimed international design firm IDEO, Fred works with leaders and change agents to unlock the creative potential of corporate, government, education and philanthropic organizations.

Love the idea of silence and the idea of connecting and sharing something you find very important for you. Love the conversation today! Bhawana Sinha
Thank you, Prof. Wadhwa, for all the special guests that you keep inviting to each episode of Intersections. Each episode is so uplifting and inspiring and a great gift to the world. Anuradha Khanna
Tremendous! Thank you for so much for the food for thought. John Best

In this episode of Intersections, Prof. Hitendra Wadhwa has a conversation with Fred Dust on the topic “Mastering Conflict by Bridging Differences”.

Breakdowns in communication are hitting a new low every day as we get increasingly polarized in our positions on a wide range of social issues. The lack of constructive dialog is leading to conflict at home, at work, and across borders. Some of us find ourselves stumbling in heated arguments, while others avoid such conflict by suppressing their authentic voice. And when dialog breaks down, we are unable to surface issues, explore perspectives and achieve breakthroughs. But it does not have to be this way.

“The times when people learn the most and are most open to change are when they are coming out of a crisis. If we’re not designing for how we have dialogue in those critical — potentially curable — moments, we won’t be able to get to radical change.”

Fred Dust

The episode “Mastering Conflict by Bridging Differences” offers key insights on:

Translating moments of conflict into collaborative, win-win exchanges
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Fueling your everyday conversations with intention and purpose
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Accelerating the process of bridging differences and forging meaningful relationships