Participating in a meeting

1. Participating in a Meeting
10 Ground Rules

2. 1. Listen actively and attentively.
- Make eye contact
- Nod
- Smile
- Make encouraging noises

3. 2. Ask for clarification if you are
confused.
- I’m sorry, would you mind repeating that.
I don’t quite understand what you mean.
- Would you mind saying that again, I don’t
quite get it.
- Sorry, I don’t understand the point you are
making.
- Would you mind clarifying what you mean by
that?

4. 3. Do not interrupt one another.
…..UNLESS you find opportunity to do so in a
polite manner
- Sorry, could I interrupt you there?
- Could I add something to what you are saying,
please?

5. 4. Challenge one another, but do so
respectfully.
- I’m not sure I agree with you on that point.
- I understand what you are saying, however...
- I beg to differ.
- I have a different opinion to you.
- I’m afraid I have to disagree with you

6. 5. Critique ideas, not people.

7. 6. When offering opinions, provide
supporting evidence.

8. 7. Avoid put-downs
…..even humorous ones

9. 8. Take responsibility for the quality
of the discussion.
- Make the discussion work for you and the
group
- Ask leading questions (questions that require
more than yes/ no answers)
- Make sure every member of the group has
opportunity to participate in a meaningful way
- Be aware of the group dynamic… is anyone
looking bored, not spoken?

10. 9. Build on one another’s comments -
work toward shared understanding.
- Carrying on from what John said….
- John made a good point. I’d like to look at
that a bit more…
- I’d like to discuss John’s point further..

11. 10. Do not monopolise discussion.
- Are you doing all the talking?
- Does everyone have equal opportunity to
speak?
- Encourage quieter members of the meeting to
contribute to the discussion.