Communicating with more than one
How do you approach a situation when there are more than one person you are talking with but only one person is trying to focus while the other is trying to make the other not pay attention?
Dan,
Excellent insights and great technique! It certainly sounds like a lot of work to keep everyone engaged! What do you do when some people respond to you and are engaged and others aren't?
Dr. Jean Norris
A lot of times, I am dealing with more than one person at the same time so I find myelf thinking if I am having effective communication with all people involved. I try to give each person an equakl amount of eye contact, but find that making eye contact witht the person while they are speaking helps them understand I am paying attention, even though there are many of us around. Also, depending on who I am trying to get my point across to, I will focus more on that person, but also glance around to the others involved so I let them know that I am interested in their opinions and what they are going to have to say. I feel the most important part is to make sure that everyone involved, does feel involved and have a chance to get their turn to speak and participate.
This is an interesting challenge, Sarah. What do you think might be a way to successfully approach this situation in a group setting?
Shannon Gormley
