Failing to Control the Discussion
-
Overview
Lesson 4: structure and control. Tim-s meeting descends in to anarchy. It is not so much a discussion as group therapy. Discussions need structure and it is the chair's job to steer it. The judge suggests that the discussion should be managed much like have a court runs its business. First you state the proposition, next you produce the evidence. Then the arguments about what the evidence proves and then you come to a conclusion or verdict. Then, and only then, can you decide on action - the sentence. Structure the discussion in stages so that all the evidence comes before the interpretation of the evidence. Keep the stages separate and stop people jumping ahead or going over old ground.
