Question: How do I deal with a well meaning participant who is going down the wrong road, without embarrassing them, but also letting the group know that the answer is not correct?
Option A: Rather than ask the whole group a question, you can ask an individual that you think will answer it the way you hope. “How would you handle this, Marla?” “What are your thoughts about that, Dave?”
Option B: If a person volunteers an answer and they’re on the wrong track, don’t be reactive. Instead, try responding as if all is well and ask, “does anyone else have a different approach?” Hopefully, the answers you’re going for will surface. Then you can diplomatically say, “Between all the answers I’ve heard, I think we’ll have the most success trying Donna’s option. Here’s why…”
Option C: When the participant offers an answer on the wrong path, you can handle it directly. “I hear what you’re saying, and I’d like you to consider a different approach…”
