Last updated on Jul 2, 2024

Your team member's assertiveness is dominating discussions. How do you ensure everyone's input is valued?

In any team, it's crucial that discussions are balanced and that everyone's voice is heard. However, when a team member with a particularly assertive personality dominates the conversation, it can stifle collaboration and overlook valuable contributions from others. As a facilitator, you need to employ strategies that create a more inclusive environment, ensuring that each team member feels comfortable and valued when sharing their insights.

1 Active Listening

Active listening is a vital skill for team facilitators to ensure that all voices are heard. By attentively listening to each team member, you demonstrate that their opinions are valued, encouraging quieter members to speak up. Summarizing points made by dominant personalities can also prevent them from repeating themselves, giving others the chance to contribute. Remember, active listening isn't just about hearing words; it's about understanding the message behind them and showing genuine interest in your team's ideas.

Add your perspective

Gary Rush IAF Certified Professional Facilitator Master

Transforming your workforce by developing collaborative leadership capabilities that increase performance 'n engagement | 4X LinkedIn Top Voice - Facilitation, Team Facilitation, Team Leadership, Team Building
Report contribution
Facilitate the meeting ensuring that all participate. Active listening is key to enable all to be heard. Change the activities so that one person cannot dominate, e.g., brain writing, small groups, round robin, etc.

Like

Unhelpful

2 Structured Sharing

To prevent discussions from being monopolized, structured sharing techniques, such as round-robin or "think-pair-share," can be implemented. These methods ensure that each person has an equal opportunity to contribute without interruption. For example, in a round-robin session, each team member takes turns to speak, while "think-pair-share" allows individuals to discuss ideas in pairs before sharing with the larger group. This structured approach can help balance participation and keep assertive personalities in check.

Add your perspective

Noelia Lerda

Leaders and Management Teams Development Coach and Facilitator
Report contribution
Más allá de la estructura, siempre debe existir un moderador o, en lo posible, un facilitador. Utilizar rondas de participación, donde cada miembro del equipo tiene un tiempo asignado para compartir sus pensamientos sin interrupciones. Esto asegura que todos tengan la oportunidad de hablar. O algún juego que permita hacerlo divertido y distribuya la conversación de modo aleatorio.

Translated

Like

Unhelpful

3 Clear Guidelines

Establishing clear communication guidelines at the outset of a project can set the tone for balanced discussions. Encourage team members to be concise and to the point, and to allow others to finish speaking before interjecting. It's also helpful to remind everyone of the importance of respecting diverse opinions and fostering an environment where everyone feels safe to express their thoughts. As the facilitator, you must enforce these guidelines consistently to maintain an equitable dialogue.

Add your perspective

4 Empowering Others

Empowering quieter team members can help balance the dynamics of group discussions. This can be achieved by directly asking for their input on specific topics or by assigning them roles that require active participation, such as note-taking or leading a portion of the meeting. When these individuals see that their contributions are valued and make a difference, they may become more confident and inclined to share their perspectives more frequently.

Add your perspective

Noelia Lerda

Leaders and Management Teams Development Coach and Facilitator
Report contribution
El facilitador tiene que ceder la palabra a los miembros del equipo más silenciosos o introvertidos, dandoles el tiempo y el espacio para elaborar y presentar su idea.

Translated

Like

Unhelpful

5 Assertiveness Training

Sometimes, the solution lies in helping the assertive individual understand the impact of their behavior on the team's dynamics. Offering assertiveness training can teach them how to express their opinions in a way that is respectful and considerate of others. This training can include techniques for active listening, recognizing non-verbal cues, and understanding how to facilitate rather than dominate a conversation. By fostering self-awareness, assertive team members can learn to adjust their approach for the benefit of the entire team.

Add your perspective

6 Conflict Resolution

When assertiveness crosses into aggression or causes conflict, it's essential to address it promptly. Conflict resolution skills are necessary for these situations, allowing you to mediate and find a solution that acknowledges everyone's viewpoints. Effective conflict resolution involves understanding the underlying issues, promoting open communication, and working towards a mutually beneficial outcome. By addressing conflicts early and constructively, you can prevent them from escalating and ensure that all team members feel their input is equally important.

Add your perspective

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

Your team member's assertiveness is dominating discussions. How do you ensure everyone's input is valued?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Active Listening

2 Structured Sharing

3 Clear Guidelines

4 Empowering Others

5 Assertiveness Training

6 Conflict Resolution

7 Here’s what else to consider

Team Facilitation

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Team Facilitation

More relevant reading

Your team member's assertiveness is dominating discussions. How do you ensure everyone's input is valued?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Active Listening

2 Structured Sharing

3 Clear Guidelines

4 Empowering Others

5 Assertiveness Training

6 Conflict Resolution

7 Here’s what else to consider

Team Facilitation

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

Explore Other Skills