Last updated on Aug 28, 2024

Dealing with a client who dominates group coaching sessions. Are you able to ensure everyone feels heard?

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Victoria Repa

#1 Female Creator Worldwide 🌎 | CEO & Founder of BetterMe, Health Coach, Harvard Guest Speaker, Forbes 30 Under 30. On…
Anil Narain Matai

Poet and Philosopher | Spiritual Wordsmith | SeeQir of Inner Wisdom | Guiding Journeys of Self-Discovery and…

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Ling Hui

I help ambitious individuals unlock their full potential and achieve their financial goals ⭐ Associate Wealth Director…

When a client dominates group coaching sessions, it's vital to ensure all participants feel heard and valued. Here's how to maintain balance:

- Set clear ground rules at the start about speaking turns and session structure.

- Use direct engagement techniques, like going around the room to solicit input.

- Empower quieter members by asking open-ended questions that invite their perspectives.

How do you manage dominant personalities in group settings to foster inclusive discussions?

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Victoria Repa

#1 Female Creator Worldwide 🌎 | CEO & Founder of BetterMe, Health Coach, Harvard Guest Speaker, Forbes 30 Under 30. On a mission to create an inclusive, healthier world
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At the start of the session, encourage everyone to participate. It's crucial to direct questions to a specific person to make sure everyone has a chance to speak. Split the group into smaller groups or pairs for part of the session. After the session, follow up with the participants to gather their feedback and ensure they feel listened to. This will also help you understand how to better manage the group dynamic in future sessions.

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Anil Narain Matai

Poet and Philosopher | Spiritual Wordsmith | SeeQir of Inner Wisdom | Guiding Journeys of Self-Discovery and Consciousness | The Stardust Weaver | LinkedIn Top Voice | AI-Powered Author
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Dominant personalities, a power struggle brewing! Let's defuse the bomb. Power Struggle Prevention Tactics: The group-hugging leader: Foster a sense of unity and belonging. The time-keeping referee: Enforce strict time limits for each participant. The spotlight-sharing magician: Rotate the spotlight to ensure everyone gets a chance to speak. The gentle-reminder ninja: Privately remind dominant personalities to be mindful of others. The team-building superhero: Organize activities that promote collaboration and teamwork. Remember, a harmonious group coaching session is like a well-orchestrated symphony. Use these tactics to keep everyone in tune and avoid power struggles.

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Ling Hui

I help ambitious individuals unlock their full potential and achieve their financial goals ⭐ Associate Wealth Director ⭐ Coaching ⭐ Representing Prudential Financial Advisers Singapore
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At the beginning of the session, I set clear expectations about participation, emphasizing the importance of giving everyone a chance to speak. This helps prevent any one person from monopolizing the conversation and sets a respectful tone for the discussion. I make it a point to draw out quieter members by asking open-ended questions that invite their insights. This empowers them to contribute and helps balance the discussion. For example, I might say, “I'd love to hear your thoughts on this,” which gives them the space to share.

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Adele Kamel Whitley

Life Transformation Coach | Speaker & Moderator | MindValley Life Coach | Foodie | Lebanese Citizen of the World
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It's always your responsibility and job as the facilitator to ensure that there is room and space for everyone to be heard. It all depends on the situation. There are talkers and nontalkers. Good ways is to actively involve others by saying: "I'd love to hear from those who haven’t spoken yet." or; "Thank you for that insight. What do others think about this?" Use the chat for communications too. Another way is breakout rooms.

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Himanshi Awaal Communications Coach

3X Top Voice I Leadership Communication Coach I Mindset Transformation Trainer I Gender Sensitisation, DEI & POSH Awareness Consultant I Behavioral Training I I bring change in people's hearts & minds
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Remember school days? When the teacher made the naughty or most talkative kid the monitor for the day who had to ensure others followed rules or stayed quiet during lessons. Well adults are older versions of kids. I have tried this and it worked - here goes! Before the next group coaching session, have a quick one to one with this particular person and tell them that you want them to help you. How? That they have to ensure today that the quieter people speak up during the session. Make smaller groups and ask them to go around each group encouraging others to participate and share their ideas. But they just observe and share their observations with you. Try it. It works.

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