WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW:
SUBSCRIBE TO MAGAZINE
Exhibiting &
Event Topics
EXHIBITOR
Magazine
Find It
Marketplace
EXHIBITOR
LIVE
EXHIBITOR
Education Week
EXHIBITOR
eTrak
CTSM
Certification
EXHIBITOR
Insight
EXHIBITOR
Awards
News
Network
Advertise
With Us
Topics
Research
& Resources
Editorial
Commentary
Trade Show
History
Plan B
Ideas
That Work
Trade Show
Video
New
Tools
Research
Ask
Dan
Special
Projects
Glossary
of Terms
Trade Show
Trends
exhibitor q&a
Ask Dan
During the meetings I manage, a few people tend to dominate the conversation. How do I change this dynamic and get more people involved?
Unfortunately, asking your mouthy staffers to take a vow of silence probably isn't a realistic option. So I suggest trying these steps to encourage everyone on your staff to have a say.

Prior to your next meeting, inform your staff, via emails and personal reminders, that everyone should participate and that they should be sure to share the floor with others. This creates an expectation that you want to hear from all the parties present, not just a vocal minority.

Next, develop an agenda estimating how much time you need to devote to each item. Appoint a timekeeper from your staff to help the group stay on track during the meeting. If you start to spend too much time on item A because someone is droning on, the timekeeper can alert you that it's time to move to item B.

Finally, during meetings, when dominant talkers start their spiels, stop them at some point to summarize what they're saying, and then call on the others for their take on the topic. This will assuage the long-winded, who may have a hidden need to be demonstrably listened to, as well as encourage the laconic, who might have a more obvious need to be coaxed to share their opinions.

Using these steps, you should be able to get some people to pipe down, and others to speak up.

Dan Lumpkin, organizational psychologist, is the president of management-consulting company Lumpkin & Associates in Fairhope, AL. Need answers? Email your career-related questions to askdan@exhibitormagazine.com.
you might also like
 
Join the EXHIBITOR Community Search the Site
TOPICS
Measurement & Budgeting
Planning & Execution
Marketing & Promotion
Events & Venues
Personal & Career
Exhibits & Experiences
International Exhibiting
Resources for Rookies
Research & Resources
MAGAZINE
Subscribe Today!
Renew Subscription
Update Address
Digital Downloads
Newsletters
Advertise
FIND IT
Exhibit & Display Producers
Products & Services
All Companies
Get Listed
EXHIBITORLIVE
Sessions
Certification
Exhibit Hall
Exhibit at the Show
Registration
ETRAK
Sessions
Certification
F.A.Q.
Registration
EDUCATION WEEK
Overview
Sessions
Hotel
Registration
CERTIFICATION
The Program
Steps to Certification
Faculty and Staff
Enroll in CTSM
Submit Quiz Answers
My CTSM
AWARDS
Sizzle Awards
Exhibit Design Awards
Portable/Modular Awards
Corporate Event Awards
Centers of Excellence
NEWS
Associations/Press
Awards
Company News
International
New Products
People
Shows & Events
Venues & Destinations
EXHIBITOR News
© Exhibitor Group | The Leader in Trade Show and Corporate Event Marketing Education PO Box 5996, Rochester, MN 55903-5996 | (507) 289-6556 | Need Help? Ask Scott