Recognising characteristics
People鈥檚 characters may come out more strongly than normal in meetings. It's important to recognise certain types of people in order to learn how to manage them.
The over-talker
This person has plenty to say and is the main speaker in the group. They may talk over other people.
If the problem persists, talk to the person outside of the meeting and explain that if there are ten people in a meeting, the ideal is that each person contributes ten per cent so that there is much more equal participation.
The non-talker
This person does not speak in meetings.
The chairperson could ask them directly their opinion in a meeting. Or the person could be spoken to outside of the meeting to reinforce how important their contributions and opinions are.
The off-subject starter
This person will take the discussions in the meeting off topic.
The chair will need to recognise when this is happening and bring the discussion back on track.
The insensitive person
This person may give unwanted advice, make jokes out of other people鈥檚 contributions and generally offend other members of the group.
This person needs to be spoken to as a matter of urgency. They need to be reminded that if they continue in this way, they will no longer be invited to be a member of the group.