Tips for Facilitating Discussions

Tips

• Paraphrase. Paraphrase.– “So, what you’re saying is that we need

to…”

Tips

• Check for meaning– “Are you saying that….”

Tips

• Give positive feedback. Compliment– “That’s a good point.”– “I never thought of that before.”– “Thanks for bringing that to our

attention.”

Tips

• Expand and elaborate– “Your comments provide an interesting

point. Let’s take this idea a bit further.”

Tips

• Increase the pace. Energize– “Here’s a challenge for you.

For the next two minutes, see how many ways you can think of to…”

Tips

• Devil’s advocate. Disagree– “I can see where you are coming from,

but I’m not sure that what you are describing is always the case.”

– “Has anyone else had an experience that is different from Jamal’s?”

Tips

• Relieve Tension. Mediate– “I think that Lynda and Ron

are not really disagreeing with each other, but are just bringing out two different sides of this issue.”

Tips

• Consolidate. Pull together– “As you can see from Mohammed’s and

Kathy’s comments…”– “Who else can add to what Joyce, Fran

and Tim have already commented on?”

Tips

• Change the process– “Let’s break into small groups and see if

you can come up with….”

Tips

• Summarize. Summarize.– “I have listed four major points that have

come from our discussion.”