Managing Monsters in Meetings - Part 4, Quiet Participants


There are many reasons why someone would decline to participate during a meeting. For example, the person may feel reluctant to speak out, may disagree with the approach endorsed by others in the meeting, or may just be tired.

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.

- - - - - - - -

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.







Related News



eBay Inc. Extends Leadership in Online Payments With Acquisition ... - MarketWatch

Canada.com

eBay Inc. Extends Leadership in Online Payments With Acquisition ...
MarketWatch -Oct 6, 2008
The acquisition extends the company's leadership in payments by combining Bill Me Later with eBay's PayPal, the number one online-oriented payments brand. ...
EBay announces job cuts and acquistionsVNUNet.com
eBay Buys Bill Me Later, Cuts 10 Percent of WorkforcePC Magazine
EBay to Buy Sites, Cut 10% of Work ForceWall Street Journal
Digitaltrends.com - MarketWatch
all 1,027 news articles

Global Semiconductor Alliance Adds DiBcom and Infineon Executives ... - MarketWatch

Global Semiconductor Alliance Adds DiBcom and Infineon Executives ...
MarketWatch -8 hours ago
"I'm very much looking forward to working together with the GSA and contributing Infineon's expertise and knowledge to the EMEA Leadership Council," said ...

Young veterans filling leadership role for Penguins - Citizens Voice

Young veterans filling leadership role for Penguins
Citizens Voice, PA -5 hours ago
It’s that the departed players filled key leadership roles on the team. Captain Nathan Smith signed with Colorado. Captain emeritus Alain Nasreddine headed ...
For Wright, Slaney, WBS was the right teamWilkes Barre Times-Leader
all 8 news articles

Leadership Tulare men, women prepare for 10-month program - Visalia Times-Delta

Leadership Tulare men, women prepare for 10-month program
Visalia Times-Delta, CA -3 hours ago
Leadership Tulare, a program of the Tulare Chamber of Commerce designed to groom future community leaders, has kicked off its Class of 2009. ...

Mark Logic Extends Market Leadership With MarkLogic Server 4.0 - MarketWatch

Mark Logic Extends Market Leadership With MarkLogic Server 4.0
MarketWatch -2 hours ago
SAN CARLOS, CA, Oct 07, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- Mark Logic(R) Corporation today celebrated the launch of MarkLogic Sever 4.0, the newest version of ...


SkillSoft Kicks Off New Fall Lineup for Leadership Development Channel - Business Wire (press release)

SkillSoft Kicks Off New Fall Lineup for Leadership Development Channel
Business Wire (press release), CA -48 minutes ago
“The LDC is an integral part of our Leadership and Management Development program,” said Leslie Positeri, advanced learning technologies program leader from ...

House panel fault's Lehman's leadership - International Herald Tribune

Boston Globe

House panel fault's Lehman's leadership
International Herald Tribune, France -21 hours ago
By Ben White and Sharon Otterman WASHINGTON: Even as the investment bank Lehman Brothers pleaded for a federal bailout to save it from bankruptcy protection ...
Video: Lehman Brothers ProbedCBS
all 1,381 news articles

Patterson continues to offer forward-looking leadership - Detroit Free Press

Patterson continues to offer forward-looking leadership
Detroit Free Press, United States -5 hours ago
Seeking his fifth 4-year term as Oakland County executive, Republican L. Brooks Patterson faces his most credible Democratic opponent Nov. ...

Restaurant Business Named Exclusive Media Partner for Restaurant ... - Earthtimes (press release)

Restaurant Business Named Exclusive Media Partner for Restaurant ...
Earthtimes (press release), UK -2 hours ago
Held each spring in Scottsdale, AZ , Restaurant Leadership is an invitation-only conference where company leaders share new ideas and solutions to industry ...

NAACP leadership battle brews - Daily Comet

NAACP leadership battle brews
Daily Comet, LA -4 hours ago
“I’ve seen the NAACP under his leadership actually fail its mission of integrity and fairness of justice for everyone,” Johnson said, adding that Boykin ...