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Research, Technology, and Teamwork blog by Susie Wee

How to talk in groups: Why talk?

Published 09 May 2007, 03:58 AM

An important first step in learning how to talk in groups is understanding why people talk in groups. The first set of reasons are obvious. The second set are not so obvious.

Why do you talk in groups?
  • To contribute information to the topic being discussed.
  • To influence the topic being discussed.
  • To impact decisions being made in the discussion.
Why else do you talk in groups?
  • To let people get to know you, both technically and personally.
  • To let people know what areas you are knowledgeable about.
  • To let people know that you're engaged and interested in the discussion.
  • To let people know your interest level on a particular topic.
  • To direct or redirect the discussion into a more useful and interesting discussion.
  • If you don't talk, people might assume you are: not interested, aloof, judgemental, dumb, or snobby. (It's amazing to see what conclusions people come to about quiet people!)
Are these reasons obvious or not-so-obvious?
Are any of these reasons surprising?
Are there other reasons that people talk in groups?

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I find the last not-so-obvious reason is very compelling. If you speak out, you give other people an impression which more or less reflects your own character. Otherwise, you have no idea how people look at you. They could come to any random conclusion. This is quite terrific!! A very good reason to be active... Thanks!
# Monday, May 14, 2007 10:40 AM by zszhang
zszhang: Thank you for continuing in the conversation. Your feedback is very helpful because while I was hoping that some of the not-so-obvious reasons would resonate with some readers, I did not know which ones would resonate.

You're correct- it is nearly impossible for people to correctly understand you and your character if you don't say a word. So rather than have them guess and come to a wrong conclusion, you could just speak up and let them know a little bit about you.

# Tuesday, May 15, 2007 03:42 AM by Susie Wee
If one has something that is actually important to say, one might argue that a group setting is not the right place, unless one has some form of authority. Changing the minds of a group is generally a losing proposition since resistors are likely to win (their fight is much easier); speaking BEFORE the group meets, in a series of informal one-on-one chats, is likely a much more efficient application of effort. And having been through a lengthy period of not being very verbal (due to heavy jaw surgery), I entirely agree with you about the judgment calls and fundamental attribution errors people will make about a quiet person. :-)
# Tuesday, May 22, 2007 09:29 PM by Sebastien_Andrivet
Hi Sebastien: You raised an interesting topic about how to influence. I agree that speaking in groups is not always the best way to influence. That topic is worthy of a series in itself, though to be honest I'm not the best person to write about it. I could use the advice myself!

From your comment it sounds like you might not be a naturally quiet person, but rather you were forced into it because of your jaw surgery. (Ouch! Hope your jaw is better now!) So, it is interesting to hear your perspective as a visiting quiet person. Do you have any interesting stories to share about fundamental attribution errors?

Thanks for the insight!

# Wednesday, May 23, 2007 05:05 AM by Susie Wee

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