It sounds like you use having a group of people to your benefit, Dianne. Have you ever experienced a time when having a group was detrimental to the experience? What did you do to fix the situation?
It's certainly important to have an open seating arrangement. I like to be sure I shift my eye contact from one person to another so as to include all of them and also monitor everyone's body language. I also ask different people in the interaction different questions so as to include everyone.
Sometimes it is nice having more than one person because everyone is sharing insight to everyone's situation.
Thank you for your honesty, Amanda. You made me laugh out loud with your "bobble head" analogy - I sometimes feel the same way in a group situation! It sounds like you try very hard to include everyone in the group experience. What signs do you look for to make sure everyone is with you and get more comfortable in this setting?
I get the sense that you prefer to focus on one individual when communicating, Evelyn. That's a great awareness to have. How might you adapt your style if you had to meet with a small group to ensure you were communicating your message clearly to the whole group?
I can't focus the comunication if there more than one person, I prefer to set up my conversation with one person at a time.
In all honesty, I do struggle with focusing my communication when there is more than one person. I try so hard to make them all feel included that I feel as though I look like a bobble head or I'm about to make myself dizy scanning my people. I do need some help with this situation because I would certainly not want to make anyone feel left out as well as I don't want to look unprofessional.
Angela, balancing more than one person can be difficult. It sounds like you have a procedure that you use to communicate effectively with everyone in the group. Are you finding this approach successful?
I ask who is actually interested in our programs. Often my potential students are accompanied by a friend or a parent. If this is the case, I focus most of my attention on that person. If it's a parent, I address them on what role, if any, they might play in their childs application process. If both parties are interested, I focus on one person at a time by asking what their schedule and educational background is and addressing which program might best suit their needs. The second party gets to listen in and chime in and this helps me to gain perspective on their needs as well, and then I can address them and their specific needs.
Great techniques, Hope. It sounds like you really do your best to accomodate the various communication preferences that you might get in a group. What type of response do you get from the group for your efforts?
I am constantly communicating with multiple people and what I have found to work best for me is to make sure I have a visual of everyone by standing in a location where everyone can see me. I have to be sure I am speaking clearly and I I make sure I listen then ask questions to be sure I understand what their wants, or needs are then respond.
These are all great insights and practices wham working with a group, Ashleigh! Thanks for sharing some of your best practices!
It sounds like you make every effort to engage your group participants, Kelly. That's great! How do you find the group usually responds to your efforts?
What a great opportunity, speaking to high school students! There's little doubt that this could be a challenge. Engaging the students and helping them to feel important is excellent, Jason. Hiw do you find the students typically respond to your approach?
Speaking in a group can sometimes be difficult to keep everyone focused. Best way I have found for keeping everyone and myself focused is to follow a schedule, use names when calling on others for clarification, be aware of body language to know when a break is needed, leave time for questions to be asked by the group and use more than one method of learning; such as visuals, exercises and hand outs.
Listening in a group is a little different. Best ways I have found is tuning out everyone except the speaker. This helps to minimize missing information. I also take notes very intently and ask questions when I do not understand. Some speaker prefer questions to be asked at the end of a presentation, so it's best to note any question on a "Parking Lot" separate from your notes to keep organized and make sure of clarification before applying what is being learned.
When I am communicating in a group I make sure that I can see everyone and that they can see me such as sitting in a circle. I make sure I have the ability to make eye contact with each individual as well as to view their body language. I also want my listeners to have the ability to read my body language as well. I want my listeners to feel as if they are participants instead of being talked at. I ask open ended questions and try to ask everyone atleast one question so that everyone is involved.
For 9 months out of the year I go around to area High Schools and present Life Skills information so i have this challenge daily. I try and make eye contact with every sigle one of the students multiple times. i feel this helps keep them engaged and makes them feel important. Like I am speaking directly to them.
Great approach, Emma! Using open-ended questions does help to get the conversation started and I think it's great that you work to engage those in the back of the room first and work your way forward. It sounds to me like you try to give everyone in the group the opportunity to participate in the conversation. What are some of your favorite open-ended questions to use in this setting?
Talking to a group is quite simple. Like teaching in a classroom you start by asking open-ended questions to those sitting in the back of the room first. Once they begin talking the students closer to you will join in. Allowing them to voice thir opinion allows for an even flow of information. At the end of the class you will always have those students that will continue the converstaion. There interest sparked can only lead to success.
I get the sense that you try to include all parties in the conversation, when appropriate, Tiffaney. That's great! Helping to make everyone you are communicating with feel valued and important will go a long way in establishing a positive relationship. How would you try to engage the person that doesn't really speak up during your meeting?
