Leading a "Bwana Stephen, can I just check that I have heard you right?
 You are saying that you are concerned about whether the
Discussion chemicals used to treat the maize in the store will affect its taste?"

 Encouraging
 The leader adopts a friendly approach to all members of the group.
 But he is particularly concerned to"draw out" the silent or shy ones.
 One of the tasks is to "hold the ring"-to make sure that a few
 confident, knowledgeable individuals do not dominate the talk.
 One way to encourage the less forthcomingis to draw them in when
 you are sure that they will have something to say on a particular
 point. If they are directly invited to say something when they are
 not sure of their ground, they may will feel put on the spot and
 discouraged even more from participating.
 "Mama Viki, last year you improved the traditional basket you
 have in yourcompound. Can you tell us what changes were made
 to it?"

 Controlling
 Out of a concern for progress and action, the leader helps to focus
 the discussion by pointing out when members seem to be straying
 from the point or when repetition is occurring.
 "Bwana Edward, what you are saying is an important point; but
 do you mind if we leave a discussion of that till our next meeting,
 since, if we take it up now it will take us away from our main
 business for today?"

 Summarizing
 Another way of achieving a focused discussion is for the leader to
 occasionally pull together the ideas that have been expressed and
 to put to the group the conclusions that seem to have been reached
 or the disagreements that need to be resolved. Such summaries
 give the participants a recognition that they have been heard and
 create a sense of progress.
 "Wakulima, where have we got to in our discussion today? It
 seems to me we have agreed on three main issues..."
 D00
 If you are actually in the leading or "chairing" position for a
 discussion session, your main problem may be to control yourself
 from talking too much. You may well be better educated than the


Chapter 9