Question

For much of a meeting, one team member is unofficially leading the discussion while several others are quietly listening. What should the manager leading the meeting do?

Tell the talkative team member that you are in charge.
Ask the quiet participants for their reactions.
Allow the meeting to flow without interruption.
Summarize what the talkative team member has said and then move to the next agenda item.

Answer 1

The manager should ask open-ended questions to involve quieter team members and summarize key points to ensure all contributions are acknowledged, fostering inclusive participation and effective communication.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a team member is unofficially leading a discussion with several others quietly listening, the manager should encourage inclusive participation and effective communication. Rather than interrupting the flow or asserting authority, the manager should engage the quieter team members by asking open-ended questions to solicit their ideas. This approach enables the manager to manage the conversation in a way that maintains a positive working relationship, ensuring that all voices are heard, and everyone is able to contribute to the discussion.

Summarizing the points made by the talkative team member is a useful strategy, as it helps to clarify and validate their contributions before transitioning to others. However, it is important that the manager also fosters leadership and collaboration, demonstrating respect for all team members' input and helping to build a more balanced and dynamic discussion environment.