Communicating with Groups
How do you focus your communication if there is more than one person?
In order to focus my communication when speaking to more than one person, involving the listeners in the conversation will help them to stay active.
The Audience is always an important consideration. Is it is a parent with a potential student or did they bring along a friend? The parent will be there generally for a different reason and certain things will be more important to them vs a friend. You may also need to adapt your style based on your observations of their relationship. But of course the essential frame work of effective communications is still the same.
During our team meetings, we all sit face forward in two rows to ensure we all participate in any discussion or topic we are about to work on. We always do pop quizzes or do a question and answer session and ensure everyone participates. This allows everyone to want to make sure to listen attentively.
Excellent, Shirelette! It sounds like your ice-breaker activity gets everyone engaged and ready for a productive meeting or workshop.
Elizabeth Wheeler
Great, Rachel! A round table or U-shaped set up for larger groups is excellent because everyone can see and interact with everyone else. I'm curious...how do you engage members of the group who seem to be detached or uninterested?
Elizabeth Wheeler
Our conference room has a round table where I typically hold our group meetings. It is important that everyone feels valuable and the responsibility of an effective meeting doesn't fall to one or two key players.
The key in groups is to communicate confidently, being sure of what you want to say and passionate about the ideas you are communicating. Generally, I try to find individuals in the group that are more engaged and make eye contact with them. This helps me to speak more personally and less detached from those around me.
I like to create an environment where everyone has an opportunity to learn something about someone at the table. The tables are set-up in a "U" shape fashion, and then the first person introduces someone at the table then everyone else takes turns introducing other people until everyone has been introduced. The "kicker" is that you cannot introduce someone who works within your department.
This serves as an "ice breaker", and gets conversation started through open communication and team work.
Thank you, Russell! You bring up some important points for speaking to groups. One is to circulate among the group when the room layout allows it, and the other is to ask questions to make sure everyone understands. Having the students repeat back instructions to you is also key to making sure you're understood. Keep up the great work!
Dr. Jean Norris
Greetings Dr. Norris,
Our classroom layout is in rows of workbenches, 3 rows of 2. i will speak directly from the front of the classroom, walk around the classroom so that I am closer to the students, and sometimes have them come up to my workbench for demonstrative communication.
I will always ask the question "does everyone understand?" I will sometimes repeat and/or ask the students to repeat back to me the instructions that I just delivered.
My stance is usually relaxed and open body.
I have been speaking to large groups for a while, due to my fundraising efforts. I usually look out at the whole crowd and speak, but if I am nervous I find one specific person to look at and try not to just talk to them, but looking for the most part at them, helps with my nerves.
Start off by making the room comfortable. Set the stage early in the beginning so they know the agenda. Ask all parties questions and encourage involvement from all involved in the decision process. Follow the 5 principles of communication.
Sylvia, Excellent! Keep up the good work. Do you find that your students, and those with them, have better rapport with you?
Dr. Jean Norris
The buying committee is very important. Most times these are the individuals they trust to help make the decisions and often they will ask tougher questions then the student themselves or either rush the process because they maybe ready to go. So with them I build a rapport, try to get them involve; always asking for their input or inviting them to chime in when necessary. Even if they are not interested in coming to school, I ask them questions as well. Once everyone is engaged and their guard is down, we can begin to scratch the surface or peel the onion and get to the true reason of why they are interested in coming to school.
If there is more than one person I must communicate with than I allow all individuals an opportunity to speak without interruptions, repeat what they have shared in a synopsis to ensure I have heard the message clearly, respond appropriately and give eye contact without slouching.
Shirelette,
We are big fans of the U shaped layout as well! It works well for workshops as well as meetings. Thank you for posting!
Elizabeth Wheeler
I also focus my communication through the "U" shapped layout of a room. It puts me in more of a leadership role or someone who commands attention. It also gives those who are attending a meeting to better engage with one another based on how they are sitting, i.e., next to eachother, across from one another.
I agree with many of the other comments. I usually like a round table more than a square table or me behind a desk. Eye contact with everyone is important and making sure I am not bias towards one or another.
Laura,
Excellent tips! Sounds like you ensure that everyone in the group is included. Thank you for sharing.
Elizabeth Wheeler
