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When leading your next meeting, here are some methods you can use to handle
difficult people who try to seize control of the discussion. Do you recognize
some of these meeting malcontents from your group's meetings?
| Monopolizers |
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Distracters |
How to recognize them:
They interrupt often, ramble and repeat because
they enjoy hearing themselves speak.
Tips for dealing with Monopolizers:
Don't argue with them, but don't hesitate to confront them. Wait
for them to come up for air and interrupt them by name. Note that point
and immediately invite someone else to comment on the topic.
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How to recognize them:
They seek attention. To get it, they'll often bring
up irrelevant topics that waste time.
Tips for dealing with Distracters:
Firmly halt Distracters, restate the meeting purpose
and ask them to answer a specific question to get
them to focus on the main topic.
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| Snipers |
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Skeptics |
How to recognize them:
They resort to stage-whispered, snide comments to
challenge your authority by switching attention from
you to them.
Tips for dealing with Snipers:
Shine the spotlight on them and bluntly ask them
to share their comments with everyone. Most will be
so embarrassed that they'll decline.
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How to recognize them:
They criticize everything you or others say.
Tips for dealing with Skeptics:
If they become negative or critical during the
meeting, let them know that you're looking for solutions,
not criticism. Then ask them to contribute.
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Source: Talking with Confidence
for the Painfully Shy, by Don Gabor, Crown Publishers Inc.,
New York, NY. Reprinted with permission from Communication
Briefings, Volume XVII, No. IV.
Related Articles
How to Discourage
Dysfunctional Behavior in a Meeting
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