Managing Disruptive Behavior
It is not necessary to run an official meeting every time a group meets. Committee
work, for instance, is usually not done as an official meeting. However, it is very
important that all meetings run smoothly or else they become ineffective and not
everyone’s voice is heard. The following are some tips for managing disruptive
behavior.
Disruptive Behavior
Corrective Action
Overly Talkative/ Interrupts Others
-Remember not to be rude in how you
handle the situation. Always show respect.
-Set up ground rules from the
beginning such as… a person can only
speak twice after everyone else has had a
chance to talk …or set time limits for each
person to talk.
- As the person pauses say, “Now that’s
an interesting point…let’s see what the
group thinks.”
- Clarify that everyone’s input is
important.
- Paraphrase what has been said and
move on to another topic.
- Ask another member directly for their
ideas.
- Ask questions of the talkative member
that aren’t open-ended (require only a ‘yes’
or a ‘no’ answer.)
- Acknowledge enthusiasm by saying,
“I appreciate your enthusiastic response,
but I’d like Joe to finish.”
- Tactfully state, “It is difficult to hear two
people at the same time.”
- Don’t recognize the person until others
have had their say.
- Stop them by putting your hand up
indicating you will hear them in a minute.
- Eager Beaver or Showoff.
- Knows a lot and wants to share it.
- Just likes to talk.
-Poor listener
- Feels superiority or is competitive
Inarticulate
- Can’t put their thoughts into words.
- You can get the gist of what they are
saying, but it isn’t quite coming out right.
-Allow silence. It is okay for them to take
their time.
- Paraphrase what you think they are
saying and ask them for their
confirmation.
- Ask questions that will help them
clarify their answers.
- Don’t let other interrupt with what
they think the person is trying to say.
Disruptive Behavior
Rambler
- Doesn’t stick to the subject.
- Uses analogies that don’t make sense.
Side Conversation
- May be related to the subject
- May be personal.
- Distracting to others.
Highly Argumentative
- Always likes to be the devil’s advocate.
- Becomes very passionate about his own
ideas.
- Stubborn and not flexible.
Puts Down others’ Ideas
- Shows a lack of self-confidence.
- Poor listener.
- Instills feelings of annoyance in others.
- Lowers moral of the rest of the group.
Corrective Action
-Set up ground rules from the beginning
such as… a person can only speak twice
after everyone else has had a chance to talk
…or set time limits for each person to talk.
- As the person pauses say, “Now that’s
an interesting point…let’s see what the
group thinks.”
- Reiterate goals and objectives.
- Ask questions that aren’t open-ended
(require only a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’ answer.)
- Find something positive in his points,
acknowledge it and them move on.
- The sentinel should stand casually
behind the members talking.
- If it persists place you hand on the
person’s shoulder and whisper for them to
be quiet.
- Use silence until they realize you are
waiting for them to be quiet.
- Ask if there is a point that needs
clarifying.
- Use humor: “Say, lets bring it back
down to 3 simultaneous conversations
rather than 4!”
-Set up ground rules from the beginning
such as… a person can only speak twice
after everyone else has had a chance to talk
…or set time limits for each person to talk.
- Keep your own temper in check and
don’t let the group get excited too. Don’t let
the argumentative member get to you.
- Use silence. Don’t argue back and they
won’t have any fuel to keep arguing.
- Talk to him privately during a break to
find out what is bothering him.
- Don’t argue back, it only fuels the fire.
- Find something positive in his points,
acknowledge it and them move on.
- Ask another person directly for their
ideas.
- Show interest in the idea/person being
put down.
- Ask other participants their thoughts
or ideas relating to the original idea.
- Ask the negative person to find
some value in the idea.