Sharing 10 tips to calling order in the training room.
When training is active, the room can become busy with activity and even noisy. From time to time, you will need to get the attention of participants to indicate that a time period is up and that you will be leading the group into a new phase. There are several ways to accomplish this.
1. Flick a light switch. This isn’t offensive if you do it rapidly and briefly.
2. Make a dramatic announcement. Grab attention by saying something like “Testing, 1, 2, 3. Testing,” “Now hear this, now hear this,” or “Earth to group, earth to group.” Use a megaphone or microphone for large groups.
3. Create a verbal wave. Instruct the group to repeat after you whenever they hear you say “time’s up.” In no time at all, the participants will be assisting you in indicating that it is time to stop what they are doing.
4. Use clapping. Instruct the group members to clap their hands once if they can hear you. Within a few seconds, the first participants to hear your instructions will clap and, by doing so, will get the rest of the group’s attention. Or ask them to respond with the last two claps whenever they hear you clap a rhythmic pattern (as in the rhythm created by the phrase: “shave and a haircut . . . two bits”).
5. Play prerecorded music. Select music that can quickly command attention. You may elect to quiet participants gently, using meditative music, or with a bang, using something like the opening bar of Beethoven’s Fifth.
6. Use a silent visual signal. Explain to participants that they should quiet down whenever they see you using a visual signal (for example, holding up your index and middle fingers). Or simply hold up or display on a projected screen a visual symbol to stop talking.
7. Use a sound signal. A gavel, bell, whistle, or kazoo will do. Novelty stores also have a variety of sound-making gag toys. Sounds from musical instruments such as a tambourine or a flute will also work.
8. Secret word or phrase. Inform the group that when you whisper something loudly (for example, a funny or off-beat word or phrase such as “you’re fired”), they should whisper it to their neighbors, then stop and listen.
9. Tell a joke. Inform participants that you have a storehouse of jokes or riddles that will serve as a cue to quiet down.
10. Announce “break time!” This will surely get everyone’s attention.