2005 Tips on Leading a Discussion

When leading a discussion the items below may be of help:

• Start on time and end on time.
• Be sure everyone in the group has been introduced to the whole group so everyone has met.
• It isn’t necessary follow the questions in the order given or even to do all of the questions.
• You may want to pose questions of your own, or group members may have questions they would like to discuss.
• When a good discussion is going don’t feel obligated to cut off the discussion in an effort to answer all the questions.
• Don’t be afraid of silence after you pose the questions. People will need time to think and reflect before they answer.
• Help everyone get an opportunity to speak. There are some “generic” questions that might encourage more comment:
  • Would anyone like to comment on what ….. said?
  • Does anyone have a different point of view on that topic?
  • Would you like to share more on what you’ve just said?
• Occasionally you may find one or two people doing most of the talking. Some strategies to be sure everyone gets an opportunity to speak are:
  • Use one of the generic questions above
  • Use a question like, “I’d be interested in hearing what some of the rest of you think about this idea.”
  • Ask a specific question of someone you know someone in the group that you think would be comfortable with you directing a question to them.
  • Make eye contact with those who haven’t spoken and smile at them to help them feel comfortable responding.
• Allow time before you end for people to reflect on the discussion and share what was most important to them.