As a participant in training sessions, there’s one response that always gets under my skin: “What do you think?”
In my mind, I’m flipping chairs and tables.
So, to help facilitators who want to truly add value when participants ask questions, here are a few better alternatives:
1. Share Your Opinion – But Clarify It’s Yours:
Offer your own thoughts on the matter, but make sure to preface it by saying, “This is just my perspective,” to encourage participants to form their own.
2. Draw from Personal Experience:
Share relevant stories or experiences from your own life. This gives participants context and allows them to make their own conclusions.
3. Open the Question to the Group:
Encourage discussion by asking the rest of the class for their thoughts. This widens the conversation and brings in diverse perspectives.
In conclusion, while “What do you think?” can be useful at times, it’s important to use it sparingly. Strive to facilitate the exchange of different viewpoints to make the training more engaging and enriching. Plus, it’ll keep the furniture safe.
#SoftSkillsTraining #Facilitation
