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Most meetings are attended by a giant.
These are the people who dominate a meeting with big ideas and big voices and big talk.
While dominant participants contribute significantly to the success of a meeting, they can also overwhelm, intimidate, and exclude others. Thus, you want to control their energy without losing their support.
Here’s what to do.
Approach 1: Ask others to contribute
Asking quiet participants to contribute indirectly moderates the more dominant participants. Say:
“Before we continue, I want to hear from the rest of the group.”
“This is great. And I wonder what else we could do.” (Look at the quiet participants when you say this.)
Approach 2: Change the process
A balanced dialogue equalizes participation and sequential participation (a round robin) prevents anyone from dominating the discussion.
Approach 3: Include them in the process
Ask dominant participants for their support during the meeting. Meet with the person privately and say:
“I need your help with something. It’s clear to me that you know a great deal about this issue and have many good ideas. I also 우리카지노 want to hear what other people in the meeting have to say. So, I wonder if you could help me encourage others to contribute.”
You can also retain control by giving away minor tasks. For example, dominant participants make excellent helpers. They can distribute
