Higher education, a context that often promotes open thinking, synthesis of ideas and collaboration as an ideal, is itself rife with fragmentation. This becomes apparent in many ways: through often-conflicting institutionalised habits and practices, mental models, formal and informal relationships (such as between directors, managers, lecturers and students), unevenly distributed participation, a weakened sense of agency and conflicting goals.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, organizations around the world have had to reassess their business processes; the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) is no exception. It has become expedient to check on staff to make sure they have resources and guidance needed to do their jobs. To this end, VADOC Operations adjusted Dialogue to elevate the voices of staff, supporting their well-being and meaningful work by focusing on front- and back-end steps outside of the sessions th