A discussion will only be as sweet and fruitful as the facilitator makes it to be. Good facilitation enables guests to freely express themselves and exhaust the topic at hand. There are excellent dialogue facilitation techniques that have turned ordinary persons into pro hosts. Here is a look at some of these techniques and how they can be used.
Behave like a traffic controller and not the pilot. A pilot takes control because he or she is the expert. A controller on the other hand allows the discussion to takes it course. Though you might be knowledgeable on the subject or might have a different point of view, you must allow other people to express themselves. This ensures that the discussion is not a one man show.
Set the rules or norms to be observed before beginning your discussion. A facilitator is in charge of maintaining order on any forum. This is the only way a sober discussion will happen. Set expectations like time, language, tone and how to capture the attention of a facilitator. Everyone will have to stick to these rules if the discussion is to be meaningful.
Pay attention to questions and not answers. It happens that you have an answer or opinion about the issue being discussed yet you are the facilitator. It means that you must focus on getting knowledge out of your panelists and not being the source of this knowledge. This ensures that you are engaged in genuine dialogue. If you contribute extensively, it will appear as though you were the guest.
Ask questions that are open ended and that incite dialogue. Such questions cause people to feel the urge to respond and contribute. The tricks that can be used to draw more answers or responses include What Follow, How So, Tell Me More and such conversation extending phrases. This approach is also effective in reducing one-worded answers that can make your discussion very taxing.
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.
Use words that are invitational and not forceful. Let participation in the debate appear as though it is a natural invitation for all. This will be determined by the words or phrases you use. When it feels like an invitation, panelists find it easy to share openly. Observe the facial expressions, eye contacts and subtle motions that your panelists make. They will tell you when to allow someone to jump in and when the discussion is pinning out of hand. Participants who want to dominate must be tamed.
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.
Behave like a traffic controller and not the pilot. A pilot takes control because he or she is the expert. A controller on the other hand allows the discussion to takes it course. Though you might be knowledgeable on the subject or might have a different point of view, you must allow other people to express themselves. This ensures that the discussion is not a one man show.
Set the rules or norms to be observed before beginning your discussion. A facilitator is in charge of maintaining order on any forum. This is the only way a sober discussion will happen. Set expectations like time, language, tone and how to capture the attention of a facilitator. Everyone will have to stick to these rules if the discussion is to be meaningful.
Pay attention to questions and not answers. It happens that you have an answer or opinion about the issue being discussed yet you are the facilitator. It means that you must focus on getting knowledge out of your panelists and not being the source of this knowledge. This ensures that you are engaged in genuine dialogue. If you contribute extensively, it will appear as though you were the guest.
Ask questions that are open ended and that incite dialogue. Such questions cause people to feel the urge to respond and contribute. The tricks that can be used to draw more answers or responses include What Follow, How So, Tell Me More and such conversation extending phrases. This approach is also effective in reducing one-worded answers that can make your discussion very taxing.
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.
Use words that are invitational and not forceful. Let participation in the debate appear as though it is a natural invitation for all. This will be determined by the words or phrases you use. When it feels like an invitation, panelists find it easy to share openly. Observe the facial expressions, eye contacts and subtle motions that your panelists make. They will tell you when to allow someone to jump in and when the discussion is pinning out of hand. Participants who want to dominate must be tamed.
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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