It Takes Two

Here's an idea for reducing disruptive behaviors -- and minimizing their impact during team meetings: Work with a co-facilitator.

One of you can focus on the participants while the other focuses on the content. When you are focusing on the participants, you can move close to somebody who is reading a newspaper or proofreading a report or carrying on a side conversation. You can intervene at appropriate times to call on some reluctant participant for his or her comment. You can take a problem participant aside to clarify some instructions or request more cooperation.

Here's another idea for reducing disruptive behaviors -- and minimizing their impact: Ask each participant to work with a buddy.

Divide the participants into pairs. Make each participant responsible for his or her partner's behavior. The partners coach each other to ensure appropriate behaviors. For an elaboration of this buddy system, see SECRET COACHES in our games section.

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