DEALING WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF PARTICIPANTS
For help with additional types of participants not listed here, click here.
How He/She Acts: Overly Talkative
Why? He/she may be an “eager beaver” or a show-off. He/she may also be exceptionally well-informed and anxious to show it, or just naturally wordy.
What To Do? Don’t be embarrassing or sarcastic. You may need their traits later on. Slow them down with some difficult questions. In general, let the group take care of them as much as possible.
How He/She Acts: Side Conversation
Why? May be related to the subject.
May be personal.
Distracts members and you.
What To Do? Don’t embarrass the participant. Call one by name and ask an easy question, or call one by name then restate last opinion expressed or last remark made by group and ask his/her opinion of it. If during the session you are in the habit of moving around the room, saunter over and stand casually behind members who are talking.
How He/She Acts: Inarticulate
Why? Lacks ability to put thoughts into proper words.
He/she needs help.
He/she is getting the idea, but can’t convey it.
What To Do? Don’t say, “What you mean is this...” Say, “Let me repeat that”, then put it in better language. Twist their ideas as little as possible, but have them make sense.
How He/She Acts: Definitively Wrong
Why? Member comes up with comment that is obviously incorrect.
What To Do? Say, “I can see how you feel” or “That’s one way of looking at it.” Say, “I can see your point, but can we reconcile that with the (true situation)?
How He/She Acts: Rambler
Why? Talks about everything except the subject.
Uses farfetched analogies, gets lost.
What To Do? When member stops for breath, thank him/her, refocus attention by restarting the relevant points, and move on. Smile, tell his/her point is interesting, point to blackboard and in friendly manner indicate we are a bit off subject. Last resort: glance at watch.
How He/She Acts: Personality Clash
Why? Two or more members clash.
What To Do? Emphasize points of agreement, minimize points of disagreement.