Sometimes you can encourage quiet participants to contribute by making direct eye contact, pausing, and letting your expression say, "What do you think?"

Approach 2: Change process

Use sequential participation (a round robin) to collect ideas. This provides quiet participants with opportunities to speak. Introduce this process by saying,

"We want to hear from everyone, so let's use a round robin. Who wants to start?"

Use these techniques to hold effective meetings by involving all of participants.

This is fourth of a seven part article on Managing Monsters in Meetings.

Approach 2: Ask for an analysis

If a minority obstructs resolution, ask them to analyze issue and propose alternatives. You can say:

"You seem to view this issue differently. Could you help us understand your position by preparing an analysis of issue with workable alternatives?"

As with a subcommittee, this approach will either uncover essential considerations or test commitment. In either case, it moves deadlock out of meeting so you can proceed.

Use these techniques to hold effective meetings by putting your work back on track.

This is sixth of a seven part article on Managing Monsters in Meetings.