If I'm doing a group interview with multiple prospective students, I make eye contact with each of them while asking questions to let them know, at the point in time, they have my attention. I also look at the other prospective students to let them know I haven't forgotten about them.
If its an interview with a parent or family member, I normally have the prospective student sitting with me and the parent off to the side. I do acknowledge the other person but tend to direct my questions to the student.
I try to position myself where I can engage eye contact with each person in the group, and then begin to speak.
Great strategies for engaging the group, Aida.
I make a conscious effort to make eye contact with everyone in the room during a presentation. If I see a student is not interested or had their head down, I will walk towards them and continue my presentation while standing next to them. That always works and gets the student to become more attentive. I also like to walk around and not stay in one spot for too long.
Very good observations, Sarah!
I believe you know it's working when they respond in kind, become more alert and participate in the presentation with smiling and nodding as well.
I'm seeing two things here that you do, Sarah. First, it appears you read your audience. That's excellent and so important. The second thing is you react to the signs by doing something differently. If they aren't responding, you use different "tools" such as hand gestures, eye contact and smiling. Question is how do you know when it's working?
I attempt to mirror individuals and become somewhat more antimated, depending on the response in their body language. If people seem disinterested or bored, I attempt to work harder to gain their attention. I do this with more hand gestures, good eye contact, nodding my head and smiling.
That's a very effective approach - reading the body language of others. Tell me, if you notice a change in behavior as you go through your presentation, what do you do?
I ask them after I do my introuction. I also try to read them and notice any changes in behavior as I am moving through the different secions in the presentation.
Great observation, Sarah! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and ideas. Continued success to you as well!
Eye contact is definitely a key element to engaging others in communication. You've also touched on another important piece - asking questions and providing information of relevance to the audience. I'm curious, Maria, how will you know what is important to them though?
Yes! People generally nod, smile and open their eyes wider to indicate they are listening or agreeing with the topic of communication.
I try to make eye contact with everyone. During meetings, I ask questions and add information that I know parents care about and then also interact with students.
Ah yes - the power of questions! The types of questions you ask are important as well as making sure appropriate questions are customed to all members. Do you have any examples of the questions you ask?
Asking questions is another great way of getting everyone involved in the conversation, it gets everyone thinking and the conversation flowing.
Another great idea! It is definitely important to use your eye contact with the person speaking. I love the idea of turning to others to encourage input too. What else can you do to encourage them to share their thoughts?
You have to make sure you are giving the person who is speaking eye contact. Also turn to the other people in the room to give them an opportunity to give input in the conversation as well.
Very nice, Irene! Eye contact, open ended questions, reflect/rephrase - sounds like you have a lot of tools to engage multiple members in a group. Have you ever had a situation where it was hard to get someone engaged in the conversation? What do you do?
I try to have eye contact with everyone present, I will also ask open ended questions to all present.
I also like to repeat and reiterate the answers to questions answered to ensure that I am properly listening to each person present.
I do like the idea of sitting in a circle, I agree it does make everyone feel included and part of the group. Great suggestion!
