An essential repertoire of facilitator behaviors

Pause seven seconds after asking the question

Invite participants to express a different point of view:

• "Does anyone see it differently?"

Request more information:

• "Tell me more about that."
• "I don't understand."
• "Could you please say more?"
• "Will you give me an example so I can understand better?"

For dominant talkers:

• Withdraw eye contact
• Shift attention, "Thanks, Chris. Now I would like to hear how the rest of you feel about..."

For shy people:

• Try for appropriate eye contact
• Ask that everyone (or a whole section of the table) respond to a question
• Less often, only when it seems appropriate) Call on the person by name for a response

For rambling types:

• Withdraw eye contact after the talk gets boring
• Turn slightly away from the speaker
• Do not take notes or reinforce the talk in any way
• At a pause, say, "Thank you, Terry. Now I want to get some other people to jump in here on this question." Repeat the question, if necessary, to pull the focus back.
• (Rarely) Interrupt. "Excuse me, Evelyn. I'm sorry to have to interrupt you, but I see other people would also like to answer this question and I want to make sure they have time." Then repeat the question.