Article: Avoid asking questions to the group with yes or no answers. If they must be yes/no answers, ask group members to elaborate on why that is the answer. Good follow-up questions include “How does that change the way you feel about X,Y,Z?” and “How do you think that applies to other issues that we are discussing?” If you are afraid that the group is too large to encourage adequate participation, small group work is a good way to encourage everyone in a group to interact. Encourage positive interactions. Thank people for their contributions. Don’t be critical. Even if your group is created for critiques, criticism should be only give in small doses. Start each comment with positive reinforcement. Between subjects, encourage people to play a game, watch a related YouTube clip or get up and move around. It is your job as the group leader to recognize potential arguments and try to move on in a productive way.  Say, “It sounds like we have a difference of opinion.” “Different points of view are encouraged in our group.” “It sounds like you both feel passionate about this.” “It seems that we can agree on X,Y,Z.” This is a good way for people to feel joint ownership of a group and its goals. Ask people to take a questionnaire or discuss changes or issues wit you.
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Ask open-ended questions. Continue with follow-up questions if discussion doesn’t start immediately. Break the group into smaller groups for projects or intimate discussion. Give positive reinforcement. Suggest an energizer activity if you have a long meeting. Deal with disagreements by finding common ground. Encourage other people to lead future discussions. Create an evaluation process.