Skill-set: Chairing
It should never come to this but sometimes meetings get out of hand.
Was it a presentation that went on too long?
Was it a heated argument that hijacked the agenda?
Maybe people coming and going from the room changed the dynamics of the group. The chairperson needs to have the pulse of the participants to know when to ask a change. Key word is request (or politely suggest). It is the group’s consensus, even in the face of the boss, that should decide a break. Ask the group whether they want to keep the momentum going.
Mediators in a Negotiating Meeting are adept at understanding the flow of discussion and the mood of each side to know when to suggest a change. Experienced facilitator will know how long to stay on each discussion point before changing the tack to get the group re-energized.
Remedies to re-focus the meeting, some break ideas:
Stand and stretch – relax for a minute.
Plan for a meal (of all things, food is usually a non-argumentative topic)
Take a break (5 min, 1 hour, 1 day) – always with an action goal for when people return or give them something to think about.
Change topic and speaker.
Turn discussion to a topic that will make sure consensus (ie revisit group goals, ___)
Final advice:
As the chair, be ready. The chair person should recognize the dynamics in the meeting and have a set of ready suggestions that can bring the group back to a positive focus.
We would like to hear your hidden communication gems:
That helps focus your team
That instills your leadership
That gets constructive feedback
…
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Contact us any day, any way, to make your team Meet with Success!
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