It takes a good facilitator to deliver a conversation that is resourceful and entertaining. However, this will not come naturally. There are dialogue facilitation techniques that will help you gain control of the discussion and make it interesting. These techniques can be used when a few people are involved and when you have a crowd to facilitate.
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.
Lay down the rules that will be used to guide the discussion. This is the only way you will have order in the conversations. There should be an understanding of who speaks first and how the signals are issued. Language must be defined and mannerisms that help maintain civility. With ground rules set, you have a very productive and civil discussion.
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.
Make your questions open ended. The session should feel like a conversation and not a question and answer session. Among the tricks you can use to encourage conversation is Tell Me More, How So, What Followed and such other conversational phrases. This ensures that you are not getting one worded answers that would make the discussion boring to follow.
Prepare a captivating conversation starter. Though you have a topic to tackle, it must begin as an easy conversation to warm the place. In fact, it is recommended that you make remarks that are open ended and that allow everyone to jump in. Set the tone by starting the conversation using an interesting tactic. Ensure that this opener does not lock out some people because the intention is to make everyone feel at ease.
The panelists should not feel forced to make contribution. Turn it into a conversation where everyone wants to jump in and also listen to the opinions of other people. Choose words that are easy and that encourage an open discussion. Allow people to share openly. Watch their subtle motions, facial expressions and eye contact to know who wants to jump in and who has a different opinion. Tactfully tame panelists who want to dominate.
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.
Lay down the rules that will be used to guide the discussion. This is the only way you will have order in the conversations. There should be an understanding of who speaks first and how the signals are issued. Language must be defined and mannerisms that help maintain civility. With ground rules set, you have a very productive and civil discussion.
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.
Make your questions open ended. The session should feel like a conversation and not a question and answer session. Among the tricks you can use to encourage conversation is Tell Me More, How So, What Followed and such other conversational phrases. This ensures that you are not getting one worded answers that would make the discussion boring to follow.
Prepare a captivating conversation starter. Though you have a topic to tackle, it must begin as an easy conversation to warm the place. In fact, it is recommended that you make remarks that are open ended and that allow everyone to jump in. Set the tone by starting the conversation using an interesting tactic. Ensure that this opener does not lock out some people because the intention is to make everyone feel at ease.
The panelists should not feel forced to make contribution. Turn it into a conversation where everyone wants to jump in and also listen to the opinions of other people. Choose words that are easy and that encourage an open discussion. Allow people to share openly. Watch their subtle motions, facial expressions and eye contact to know who wants to jump in and who has a different opinion. Tactfully tame panelists who want to dominate.
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.
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