| |
Managing Monsters in Meetings - Part 4, Quiet Participants
By Steve Kaye
There are many reasons why someone would decline to participate during a meeting. While some of these may be valid, others may warrant intervention in order to hold an effective meeting.
An effective meeting depends upon fair and equitable participation from everyone. Here's how to make it easier for quiet participants to contribute.
Approach 1: Encourage participation
When you notice a quiet participant, ask for contributions by looking at the person and saying:
"How do you feel about that, Chris?"
"What results do you expect from this, Pat?"
"Chris, how will this affect you?"
Sometimes a quiet participant will test the environment with a tentative reply or a minor, safe point. Respond positively and with encouragement to any response that you receive. Then probe further to explore for more ideas.
Sometimes you can encourage quiet participants to contribute by making direct eye contact, pausing, and letting your expression say, "What do you think?"
Approach 2: Change the process
Use sequential participation (a round robin) to collect ideas. This provides quiet participants with opportunities to speak. Introduce this process by saying,
"We want to hear from everyone, so let's use a round robin. Who wants to start?"
Use these techniques to involve all of the participants.
This is the fourth of a seven part article on Managing Monsters in Meetings.
About the Author
IAF Certified Professional Facilitator and author Steve Kaye works with leaders who want to hold effective meeting. His innovative workshops have informed and inspired people nationwide. His facilitation produces results that people will support. Sign up for his free newsletter at http://www.stevekaye.com. Call 714-528-1300 or visit his web site for over 100 pages of valuable ideas.
Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/article/2159.html
| If you wish to add the above article to your website or newsletters then please include the "Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/article/2159.html" as shown above and make it hyperlinked. |
| Some other articles by Steve Kaye | How to Select a Meeting Facilitator
Meeting facilitation is a complex activity. Thus, you want to make sure that you engage someone who knows how to help ...
Why Olivia Refuses to Attend Meetings
Olivia Felini is a wonderful cat. She will do almost anything, except go to meetings. Here's why.
1) No one asks her to participate.
Olivia always comes prepared to be part ...
How Bad Can a Meeting Be?
There are the winning entries from a bad meeting contest (condensed and sanitized to protect the participants)
1) Short, Expensive, and Useless.
First, she sent a letter to a prospective client in ...
More Than One Type of Goal Leads to Success
Most people set goals. But they often set only one type of goal, and in so doing they set themselves up for failure.
Here is the complete ...
The Secret to Effective Leadership
Treating people with respect wins trust and develops lasting relationships. Here's what to do.
1) Be on time. In fact, arrive early for appointments and meetings. Plan time milestones in your daily schedule that tell you ...
How to Survive in a Crazy World
Everything seems to go faster, leaving everyone feeling overworked, overloaded, and overwhelmed. Here's how to survive.
1) Know Your Purpose.
...
|
|
| |
|
|
|
