For those of you reading this who come from the education world, an attention-getting signal is nothing new. It is simply a signal to your group that it is time to quiet down and listen to instructions. In fact, even if you don’t consciously use an attention-getting signal (yet) in your engagements, you actually probably do use something, because even saying, “Alright everyone, it’s time to wrap up your conversations,” is a signal!

Remember, in events that are using Transformational Facilitation, rooms get noisy as people are often talking with each other in pairs or small groups. So here are my where, why, and hows for attention-getting during workshops and meetings.

• Pick a signal. Personally, I like to use a silent raised hand. Participants are asked to also raise their hands when they see mine raised, spreading the signal all around the room, so that people who have their backs to me also see it. Some people I know like to use a little bell, or even clap, although I don’t like the loud signals because people need a minute to finish their sentences, and a loud signal is disruptive. (In fact, trauma-informed best practice notes that in communities where gun violence is prevalent, loud attention-getting claps can trigger PTSD responses, so it is a good idea to avoid loud signals, especially when working with youth or students.)

• Teach the signal to your group. One of the first things I do in my engagements is explain that it will be noisy at times and that we will be using a signal to bring everyone back together. I introduce my raised hand and then explain that when they see mine up, everyone else should raise their hand and finish their last thoughts.

• Use it consistently. If you are using a signal – use it! Don’t default to the, “Alright everyone…” phrase. It can sometimes take a few seconds for everyone to quiet down, but it works, and the more you use it, the more comfortable people will be with it, and the more quickly your room will settle down.

• Wait until everyone has seen the signal and finished their conversations to begin talking yourself. This is really important. People get off-task, lost, and frustrated when they can’t hear clearly. Before you start speaking, listen for a second or two to make sure everyone is really quiet, that they’ve really finished what they were saying, and that they are looking at you ready to listen. I like to take a deep breath here, just to ensure the air is really clear.

• After you’ve used your signal, if it seems like people were really having a hard time wrapping up their conversations, you can ask if people need more time, and if so, to raise their hands with the number of minutes more they would like. Using a signal means you are in charge of when people have to stop talking, but if they weren’t ready to stop, honor that by giving them more time!

My attention-getting signal is well established, and people who have attended more than one of my workshops or meetings are already familiar and comfortable with it. If people seem to balk the first time you use a signal, stick with it! Soon it will feel like second nature to both you and participants, and you will find that your engagements flow much more smoothly when you are able to quickly and quietly get everyone’s attention. Good luck and let me know how it goes!