The method used to facilitated a discussion determines how well the guests express themselves and whether they will connect with the topic at hand. Excellent hosts have learnt the best dialogue facilitation techniques that make discussions fruitful and interesting. Here are some of these techniques and areas where they can be used effectively.
Become a traffic controller instead of behaving like a pilot. The pilot takes charge of the plane because he is the expert. A controller acts differently because his focus is ensuring that each plane finds its own place within the airport. Your role should be such that you direct the discussion and not acting like the main contributor. Allow people to express different points of view without allowing your opinion to override the discussion. It is not a one man show.
Establish norms that will guide your discussion. The role of a facilitator is to ensure that there is order and everyone has a chance to make contribution. This will only happen if there is order. Establish norms like the order in which people speak, how the responses should be made, expectations from those in attendance and language mannerisms, among others. It is these ground rules that make your discussion civil and productive.
Be concerned by the questions more than answers. You naturally have answers to the questions or an opinion, yet you cannot force it on everyone. Remain neutral as the facilitator to allow panelists to air their views. This turns the dialogue into a genuine one. Panelists also feel free to contribute freely.
Ask questions that are open ended and that will provoke a discussion. This makes your discussion conversational instead of question and answer or interrogation session. Incite the panelists to keep going using such phrases are How So, Tell Me More and What Followed, among others. This helps you avoid the one word answers that make discussions boring.
Conversation starters will define the warmth of your discussion. The best facilitators do not jump into the discussion straightaway. Rather, they have an easy moment that will warm the floor before the heavy and hard hitting opinions come. This discussion should be related to the larger topic. It gives an easy platform for all to discuss the issues at hand. The opener should not close out some people. In fact, a free for all discussion is welcome.
The discussion should feel like an invitation and not a situation where people are forced. This will be determined by the words you use. Words used should reflect an easy environment where participants can discuss and share openly. Facial expressions, subtle motions and eye contacts will tell you who is ready to take up the discussion. Find a tactic to tame the people who want to take over without putting them down.
Keep the dialogue relevant throughout the time you have set out. New ideas have the potential of derailing people. Though you must press people to talk, it must not be to the point of embarrassment. Allow people to redeem themselves instead of slapping them when they are pushed to the corner. Make the ending memorable and unique, ensuring that there is apparent consensus.
Become a traffic controller instead of behaving like a pilot. The pilot takes charge of the plane because he is the expert. A controller acts differently because his focus is ensuring that each plane finds its own place within the airport. Your role should be such that you direct the discussion and not acting like the main contributor. Allow people to express different points of view without allowing your opinion to override the discussion. It is not a one man show.
Establish norms that will guide your discussion. The role of a facilitator is to ensure that there is order and everyone has a chance to make contribution. This will only happen if there is order. Establish norms like the order in which people speak, how the responses should be made, expectations from those in attendance and language mannerisms, among others. It is these ground rules that make your discussion civil and productive.
Be concerned by the questions more than answers. You naturally have answers to the questions or an opinion, yet you cannot force it on everyone. Remain neutral as the facilitator to allow panelists to air their views. This turns the dialogue into a genuine one. Panelists also feel free to contribute freely.
Ask questions that are open ended and that will provoke a discussion. This makes your discussion conversational instead of question and answer or interrogation session. Incite the panelists to keep going using such phrases are How So, Tell Me More and What Followed, among others. This helps you avoid the one word answers that make discussions boring.
Conversation starters will define the warmth of your discussion. The best facilitators do not jump into the discussion straightaway. Rather, they have an easy moment that will warm the floor before the heavy and hard hitting opinions come. This discussion should be related to the larger topic. It gives an easy platform for all to discuss the issues at hand. The opener should not close out some people. In fact, a free for all discussion is welcome.
The discussion should feel like an invitation and not a situation where people are forced. This will be determined by the words you use. Words used should reflect an easy environment where participants can discuss and share openly. Facial expressions, subtle motions and eye contacts will tell you who is ready to take up the discussion. Find a tactic to tame the people who want to take over without putting them down.
Keep the dialogue relevant throughout the time you have set out. New ideas have the potential of derailing people. Though you must press people to talk, it must not be to the point of embarrassment. Allow people to redeem themselves instead of slapping them when they are pushed to the corner. Make the ending memorable and unique, ensuring that there is apparent consensus.
About the Author:
When you are searching for information about dialogue facilitation, come to our web pages today. More details are available at http://www.dialogues.cc now.
0 comments:
Post a Comment