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Maximizing a Groups Potential: Hearing from Everyone
One very important way to be certain you are maximizing the potential of a group is to ensure that everyone in the group has an opportunity to be heard. You need to collect the thoughts and ideas of even the quietest people in the group to get to a thoroughly deliberated, representative conclusion.
Have you ever been in a meeting where two or three people were doing all the talking? Sometimes, even though you want to hear from everyone, it is hard for the "quiet people" to break in. To deal with a situation like that, choose a technique that will give the quiet people more time to speak
Say, for example, you are moderating a session in which the teachers in your school have gathered to discuss discipline procedures that are/are not working. To get everyone involved in the discussion, you might say, "Let's take a minute for everyone to write down one or two ideas. Then we will go around the room and get an idea from everyone." Doing that will give all group members time to think the question through and feel more prepared. It will also ensure that everyone is offered an opportunity to add ideas.
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By using that simple technique, you will likely find that people are more willing to speak up, share ideas, and think outside the box. Participants feel less vulnerable, less exposed, when they are sharing their ideas with a smaller group. As an added benefit, the multiple conversations will raise the noise and energy level in the room.
For more techniques for involving everyone in a discussion or decision making, order your copy of Great Meetings! Great Results today.
NEXT WEEK IN GREAT MEETINGS: TO COME WITH NEXT BATCH
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COPYRIGHT 1996 - 2024 BY EDUCATION WORLD, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.