In meetings and get-togethers, some people may talk too much. They ramble. They dominate. They bloviate.
What can you do?
You can employ "talking sticks" or sand timers or "Koosh Balls"
"Talking sticks" were employed by the indigenous people of the Northwest Coast of America for managing their councils.
In a tribal council circle, a talking stick is passed around from member to member allowing only the person holding the stick to speak. This enables all those present at a council meeting to be heard.
(Those fuzzy "Koosh Balls" serve the same function, but in a more light-hearted way.)
Sand timers have 3 minutes before the sand runs out. As with talking sticks, only the participant holding the sand timer may speak, and for only as long as 3 minutes.
I have used these tools for years in meetings and seminars with good results. First, I explain why they are helpful and get agreement from the participants. No one objects, and the participants monitor themselves.
These tools are also encourage shy people to speak up because they know they won't be interrupted.
For chairpersons or hosts of meetings, using these simple tools is much easier than breaking in to stop someone for talking too much.
Note: Men's groups and "Conversation Cafes" I've attended also used these tools. (www.conversationcafe.org for details about starting a conversation group.)
Until next week, Loren