Want to Lead Better Discussions? Try these 7 Keys!

Great discussions can spark new ideas, deepen understanding, and strengthen relationships. However, facilitating such discussions can often feel like navigating a labyrinth, especially when dealing with complex topics or diverse groups. To help you transform your discussions into engaging and enriching experiences, here are seven essential keys.

1. Stay Relational

The first key is to remember that discussions are more than just an exchange of ideas; they are a relational experience. The goal of a discussion should not be to advocate for a specific point of truth but rather to think together collaboratively. This approach fosters an environment where participants feel safe to share their perspectives and ideas without fear of judgment or criticism.

Staying relational means managing the intensity of the conversation. It's important to ensure that discussions run cool, not hot. This means enjoying the process of thinking together and managing fear and tension. It's okay to pause for a deep breath or to slow things down when things start to accelerate out of control.

2. Learn to Listen

The second key to facilitating great discussions is to master the art of listening. Good listening involves attunement, akin to musical instruments tuning to each other to create harmony. It creates a sense of understanding and connection, making everyone feel heard and valued.

Listening requires patience, especially with participants who may struggle with it. Employ strategies for active listening such as making eye contact, staying present, not interrupting, and reflecting what they said. This helps to create an atmosphere of respect and understanding, where every voice matters.

3. Welcome Silence

The third key is to embrace silence. Often, we fill the air with words, afraid that silence might be awkward. However, silence provides a space for reflection and thoughtful responses. It's like turning a discussion from a hurried sprint into a leisurely stroll. Remember, the journey of a discussion is as important as the destination, and silence helps to create the necessary pause for deeper thinking.

4. Talk General to Specific

The fourth key involves structuring the flow of your discussion. Start with broad, general topics before moving towards more specific ones. This allows participants to draw from their existing knowledge and experiences, building a rich inventory for the discussion. It also prevents the conversation from becoming too narrow too quickly, which can exclude those who may not have specific prior knowledge of the topic.

5. Concrete to Abstract

The fifth key is to start with concrete concepts before moving to abstract ones. Concrete concepts, which engage our senses and are rooted in reality, provide a solid foundation upon which abstract ideas can be built. This approach also makes abstract concepts more relatable and understandable, helping participants to grasp complex ideas better.

6. Open-Ended, Not Leading Questions

The sixth key is to use open-ended questions instead of leading ones. Open-ended questions invite deeper thinking and exploration, while leading questions may guide participants towards a predetermined answer. The former promotes critical thinking and enables a broader exploration of the topic at hand, making the discussion more engaging and enlightening.

7. Get Creative

Don't be afraid to get creative in your discussions. Creative approaches can unlock deeper thinking and increase engagement. This might involve using visual aids, role-plays, or even games to explore a topic. Collaboration, which is a form of active creativity, can take the pressure off of individual participants and turn the discussion into a shared experience.

Remember, every discussion is an opportunity to learn and grow together. By staying relational, listening actively, embracing silence, structuring the discussion effectively, moving from concrete to abstract, asking open-ended questions, and getting creative, you can facilitate discussions that are not only informative, but also engaging, enriching, and transformative.

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Betsy

Betsy Strauss is an unexpected homeschooler, mother of three, who is in a relationship with a sweet man for life. She loves reading books, drinking coffee, and learning anything with her kids.