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Go Around
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What does Go Around mean?

Go Around

Go around is a meeting activity that allows participants to speak in turn, without interruption. Also known as a Round Robin, it ensures that everyone can contribute their thoughts and comments.
Definition
Daniel Wirtz
Daniel Wirtz
Co-Founder, Facilitator School
Last updated
June 14, 2024

Go Around, also known in some circles as a Round Robin, is a structured format used in meetings to encourage full participation and ensure that every attendee has a chance to contribute. It's a simple yet powerful way to facilitate discussions where every person speaks one after another without interruption. This method promotes equality because everyone’s voice is heard, fostering an inclusive environment.

Typically, a facilitator, who ensures the smooth execution of this activity, will invite each participant to share their thoughts or provide feedback on a specific topic. The Go Around technique is particularly useful in settings where some participants may be less inclined to speak up. By rotating through each individual, it not only encourages quieter members to share their ideas but also helps to prevent more dominant personalities from monopolizing the conversation. It's a democratic approach to communication in professional settings.

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Go Around

Why use Go Around in meetings?

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Go Around is employed in meetings to promote equal participation among all attendees. This method ensures that each participant has a designated turn to speak, which helps in gathering diverse perspectives and ideas, crucial for comprehensive discussions and robust decision-making processes. By systematically including everyone, Go Around can enhance engagement and ensure that no valuable insights are overlooked due to the dynamics of more outspoken participants dominating the conversation.

When to use Go Around in meetings?

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Go Around is particularly effective in meetings where you want to gather input from everyone, such as brainstorming sessions, feedback rounds, or when making important decisions. It is also useful in initial meetings to introduce participants to each other or in situations where you aim to build a sense of communal decision-making. Whenever the goal is to foster inclusiveness and ensure everyone feels valued and heard, Go Around serves as an ideal strategy.

How to facilitate Go Around in meetings?

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Facilitating a Go Around effectively involves a few key steps. Start by clearly explaining the purpose and structure of the Go Around to participants, ensuring everyone understands the expectations. As the facilitator, guide the session by indicating who speaks next to maintain order and flow. It's crucial to keep track of time to ensure each person has a fair chance to speak without the session running over time. Encouraging concise contributions can help maintain engagement and focus throughout the Go Around.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a Go Around activity?

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Advantages of Go Around include enhanced participation, equitable voice distribution, and improved gathering of diverse viewpoints. It supports inclusion by allowing quieter members a set time to express themselves, potentially leading to more thoughtful and innovative outcomes. On the downside, if not managed well, Go Around can become time-consuming, particularly with larger groups. Additionally, some participants might find this structured speaking order somewhat rigid, which might inhibit spontaneity in the discussions.

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