Conquering Conferences: Handling The ‘Conversation Dominator’ – Above the Law

Ed.
note:
This
is
the
third
article
in
a
series
providing
a
comprehensive
guide
to
networking
at
conferences.
Read
the

first
here
and
the

second
here. 

As
we
glide
further
into
“Conquering
Conferences,”
the
focus
shifts
to
the
complex
waltz
of
group
networking
—
particularly,
dealing
with
the
dreaded
conversation
“dominators.” 

Just
like
at
a
high
school
dance
where
there’s
often
that
one
person
trying
to
be
the
center
of
attention
on
the
dance
floor,
in
networking
groups,
you
might
come
across
the
“dominator”
—
someone
who
tends
to
monopolize
the
conversation.

Here’s
how
to
gently
sway
the
rhythm
of
the
group
conversation
and
ensure
everyone
gets
a
chance
to
contribute:

1. 
   Acknowledging
   and
   Redirecting:
   Politely
   acknowledge
   the
   dominator’s
   point
   and
   then
   smoothly
   transition
   the
   spotlight
   to
   another
   person.
2. 
   Using
   Open-Ended
   Questions:
   Pose
   open-ended
   questions
   that
   invite
   diverse
   opinions,
   shifting
   the
   focus
   from
   the
   dominator
   and
   encouraging
   quieter
   members
   to
   step
   onto
   the
   dance
   floor.
3. 
   Seeking
   Out
   Quieter
   Voices:
   Encouraging
   quieter
   group
   members
   to
   share
   their
   thoughts
   can
   change
   the
   dynamic
   of
   the
   conversation.
4. 
   Setting
   a
   Cooperative
   Tone:
   Emphasize
   the
   value
   of
   hearing
   a
   variety
   of
   viewpoints
   to
   encourage
   collaborative
   participation.
5. 
   One-on-One
   Approach:
   If
   the
   group
   setting
   feels
   too
   dominated,
   consider
   pulling
   someone
   aside
   for
   a
   one-on-one
   conversation
   later.
   This
   allows
   for
   more
   meaningful
   interactions
   without
   the
   overshadowing
   presence.

Maneuvering
group
dynamics
is
just
one
part
of
the
networking
dance.

Up
next,
we’ll
explore
how
to
keep
the
rhythm
of
your
conversations
flowing
and
vibrant,
ensuring
each
interaction
at
the
conference
is
as
engaging
as
a
well-choreographed
dance
routine.

Handling
the
‘Dance
Floor
Dominator’

✔️
Use
tactful
techniques
to
ensure
balanced
participation
in
group
conversations.


✔️ Redirect
focus
and
encourage
quieter
members
to
share
their
thoughts.

---

Sejal Patel is
the Founder
of
Sage
Ivy,
a
New
York-based
consultancy
specializing
in
empowering
attorneys
with
innovative
practice
development
strategies.
With
over
20
years
of
experience,
Sejal
applies
her
expertise
in
assisting
clients
convert
their
relationships
into
revenue
by
applying
individualized
strategies
to
their
networks
and
leveraging
their
unique
styles
authentically.