Page 412 - Mike Ratner CC - WISR Complete Dissertation - v6

• Acceptance of identity—Giving individuals the freedom to express themselves

authentically without fear of being negatively judged.

• Inclusion—Making others feel that they belong, regardless of their relationship or

affiliation.

• Safety—Physical and psychological protection from humiliation and ability to speak with

fear of retribution.

• Acknowledgement—Giving people good attention by listening, hearing, validating and

responding to their concerns, feelings and experiences.

• Recognition—Validation and generosity of praise and a show of appreciation and gratitude

for others contributions and ideas.

• Fairness—Treating people justly and with equality.

• Benefit of the doubt—Beginning with the premise that people have good motives and are

acting with integrity.

• Understanding—Giving others an opportunity to explain and express their point of view

and practicing active listening.

• Independence—Acting in one’s own behalf,

• Accountability—Taking responsibility for personal actions and taking responsibility to

apologize for dishonoring the dignity of another. (Hicks, 2011, pp. 25-26)

With the exception of the element of accountability, each of the components of Hicks’

(2011) model of dignity were represented in either the deliberative dialogue process or was

mentioned through the use of the words ‘respect, inclusiveness and fairness’ by one or more

participant volunteers during the interview process, or was captured during data analysis as a node

or node category. Creation and maintenance of dialogue environments that honors the dignity of

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