Over the years I’ve practiced strategies to deter and redirect the “constant hand raiser” and the “sleeper” in my college classes and workshops. Yes, even I get the occasional sleeper.
After almost a decade of practice, I now feel comfortable calling out these and other participant behaviors in a way that is firm but kind. It’s rare that I’m out of my comfort zone in front of an audience, especially when it’s hourly workers. But a client’s educational session recently made me question past assumptions and it was a reminder that even a seasoned facilitator can experience growth.
Employee A didn’t want to be there and voiced their frustration to their manager before the session began. They had worked an overnight shift and the session was scheduled during a time of day when they’d rather be sleeping. But rather than disengage during the session, and possibly fall asleep, they were determined to act out, mostly as a comedian and bring everyone else down with them.
Wisecrack after wisecrack continued and the remaining team members, a small group of 8 employees, even began to roll their eyes. At first, I ignored the behavior. Then, I redirected when the employee got us off topic. On occasion I gave them the opportunity to elaborate. I even sternly shared that I might need to ask them to leave the room if they continued interfering with the session.
The half-day training eventually came to an end but it brought up an interesting dilemma as a facilitator.
Can you ask a participant to leave when it is a client’s session and their employees are required to be there?
Had this been a student in one of my classes, the answer is very straight forward.
What strategies would you recommend for handling this disruptive participant?