How Do I Keep My Focus in a Group Setting?

Can we use this empathy-based listening in a group setting? We're in a meeting with several people. Not only can we, this is when we really need to focus on our empathy-based listening. We've got different people talking. We want to get on all their stages. Here's what I want us to think about. I want you to use this trick when you’re in a group setting. I want you to think everybody's submerged underwater. There is one oxygen tank and there is one breather.

 

We need to keep everybody in this meeting alive. The only person that gets to use the breather is the person who is speaking. So, when somebody makes a statement, we want to, yes, deliver it back to them. We don't want to yank the breather out of their mouth. We want to ask them a great discovery question. When they discover, somebody else is going to jump in, when that person jumps in and makes a statement, we have to think, discover for them.

 

Now, many times we'll have to balance those two. Then the third person comes in. Basically, all we should be doing is discovering. Why? Because you're going to see the entire group - they're going to gravitate towards you. They're going to make you the ringleader. They're going to make you the controller of the breather. At this point, it's your meaning. I don't care what your position is.

 

It doesn't matter what your goals or agenda are. You're responsible for keeping everyone alive in those group meetings.

 

For more information contact your MFS team at 1-800-343-2829.

Neither MFS nor any of its subsidiaries is affiliated with Eric Maddox. The views expressed are those of the speaker and are subject to change at any time.

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