#07: 5 techniques to discuss things right

In my first newsletter, I talked about 5 ways to discuss the right things during meetings to take the lead, surface issues quickly and drive the gathering forward. These were strategies like leading with a POV, surfacing surprises and tensions and asking ‘what’ questions on the content of the discussion.

Today, we get into the detailed tactics to activate these strategies by discussing things right.

Constructive conversations don’t happen just because you have a good discussion strategy.

You must pair it with the right tactics depending on the activity, size of group and personality dynamics.

Once you have the right things to discuss, here are the 5 most common discussion moderation techniques to discuss things right.

5 techniques to discuss things right

1. Jot it Down

What is it: Ask individuals to silently write down the answer to a question you ask the group before discussing.

Benefits: Having solo time to think before sharing respects different personality types and ensures voices are heard. This technique can also start to calm the anxiety of speaking during meetings. Did you know that the fear of public speaking is the most common phobia ahead of death, spiders, or heights according to the National Social Anxiety Center?

When to use it: When everyone is talking at each other or with a quite group.

Risks: Lack of clarity on where participants are capturing data or not having the right tool set up in advance.

Tips: Tell people you are going to ask them to share back in the full group to drive accountability. Use the chat functionality during virtual meetings.

2. Small Group Chat

What is it: Allowing groups of 2-4 people to discuss a topic before coming back to the larger group

Benefit: Enabling a virtual or in-person breakout room prevents dominating personalities from taking over a discussion and encourages quieter voices to be heard. It also shifts the dynamic of the meeting and discussion to keep engagement high.

When to use it: When you are facilitating a group of 5+ people

Risks: Participants not driving toward the discussion goal without local facilitation. Technology risks with breakout room issues and management

Tips: Assign a breakout group timekeeper and scribe to de-risk the conversation. Don’t make the breakout longer than 10 minutes without visual aids and activities.

3. Full Group Chat

What is it: Moderating a synchronous discussion with the full team

Benefit: To ensure the whole team is hearing the same information.

When to use it: After a Local Group chat or after digesting information to drive a Flare, Explore or Focus conversation.

Risks: Dominating personalities and derailed conversations that aren’t driving toward your discussion goal

Tips: Dominating personality: Set expectations for the amount of time you want someone to talk (e.g. “John, 60 seconds on the clock for your perspective”) and set a timer that is audible.

Derailed conversations: Push the participant to connect what they are saying back to the discussion goal (e.g. “Amir, you mentioned a frustration with our business partners. Connect that point back to our conversation on our Q3 roadmap.”)

4. Direct Ask

What is it: Calling on someone directly for their perspective

Benefit: As a facilitator, It gives you control on whose perspective you want to hear and it gives a nudge to stay focused (uh oh - what if they call on me!)

When to use it: When nobody is sharing, you want to connect a Small Group Chat to the Full Group Chat, or you want to give space to quieter voices

Risks: You push an anxious public speaker from uncomfortable to panic attack.

Tips: Use this in combination with Jot it Down. If someone has time to process a question and write down the answer, it can alleviate some of the fear since all they have to do is read what they wrote. Also, wait 7 seconds until calling on someone. It will be uncomfortable for you but it gives space to your group to process and think about the answer to your question.

5. The Boomerang

What is it: Pushing the question directed at you back to the group.

Benefit: If you feel stumped, it allows you collect your thoughts or it gives a chance for others to respond before you give your perspective

When to use it: When you feel like your perspective on a discussion topic may bias the group or if you are frozen and don’t know how to answer the question.

Risks: If the team really needs a question answered and they sense that you are avoiding answering it

Tips: Use in combination with any of the other 4 techniques! Get everyone to jot down their perspective, call on someone directly or open it up to a small or large group discussion. Use it sparingly! Remember, leading with a strong POV can help drive discussions too.