The following examples provide some useful guidelines for generating discussion with your employees:
- Ask for feelings and opinions. Use a method of asking questions that will help people express their ideas, draw people out, and encourage discussion. For example:
- What is your reaction to …?
- How do you feel about …?
- What is your thinking on …?
- Would you say that …?
- One way to help people reach mutual understanding is to paraphrase; that is, to ask one person to repeat what they understood someone else said. Then to verify with the originator that they understood correctly.
- Let me see if I understand your position. Are you saying that…
- What I’m hearing is… Is that right?
- Do you mean that…?
- Encourage participation. Sometimes people hold back. They can be encouraged to participate by such questions as:
- It is clear that Phil does not agree. Will you summarize your major objections?
- Ask for summary.
- Lots of good ideas have been presented in the last few minutes. Will someone please summarize the major points before we go on?
- It is clear the field is not agreeing. Phil, will you summarize your major objections?
- Ask for clarification.
- I don’t understand that last comment. What would you do if…?
- I saw Maria shaking her head. Maria, what is your point of view on the subject?
- Ask for examples.
- Diana, will you give some examples of what you mean?
- Bill, can you expand on that? I’m not sure I understand.
- Test for consensus.
- It seems that we agree on this issue. Let me ask for a show of hands on this. Does everyone accept the idea that …?
- Bill, are those your feelings, too?
- Before we go on, let me check to make sure that we agree that…
- Initiate action.
- How do you think we should …?
- Kevin, how would you suggest that we proceed on this?
- Explore an idea in more detail.
- What are some other ways to approach this problem?
- Are there other things we might consider?
- Who has something to add?
- Do a quick survey.
- Let’s see a show hands. How many agree with this approach?
- How do you feel about this?
- Suggest a break.
- We have been discussing the program for a while now. I propose we take a 10-minute break.
- Suggest a procedure.
- I noticed that Brian has contributed the most. I suggest we go around the table to see how others feel.
- Would it help if we put the items in order of importance?
- Suggest they try something.
- Let’s go around the table so that everyone gets a chance to comment on this.
- Stop the action and asked the group to talk about something.
- Let’s stop the discussion for a moment. I think it might help if each of us told the group what he or she thinks about this point right now.
- Share your feelings.
- I feel this way…
- I’m frustrated. How did the rest of you feel?
- This point doesn’t apply to me. How do you feel?
Practice a few of these guidelines and watch your communications improve.
Mike Marchev has lots more to share with you. Email him today to receive a Special Report titled, “THE BEST ADVICE I EVER GAVE TRAVEL PROFESSIONALS” at mike@mikemarchev.com Be sure to write the word “advice” in the subject box, and while you’re at it, include what you enjoy about reading Mike’s column.