Write out an agenda for a large meeting in two ways:

1. As a traditional “presenter presents, we listen” style, and
2. The same meeting but incorporating CL techniques.

Include several topics and forms of interaction in both examples.

Which meeting would you rather attend? Why?

Reflective Break

Think back on meetings with other adults you have attended, or perhaps facilitated, which could have been more productive if they had incorporated CL techniques. Then make a short list of the techniques you would like to see used in similar settings, for example, “Use Everyone Can Explain to plan a staff social event.” If you are working with others share your ideas and add the useful ideas you hear from your teammates to your list.

Sample Response

I have suffered through many meetings, such as staff meetings, in which the head of the organization gives an hour-long explanation of something the head wants everyone else to do. People need to opportunities to process what was presented. Group activities provide such opportunities. Plus, if some of the audience members disagree with what the head presented, they may be more willing to raise their concerns after trying out their thoughts with groupmates.