Tip
When subject matter experts dive too deep into a topic during a meeting, you risk losing the rest of your attendees. Getting them back will be difficult. Use facilitation phrases and time-boxing to keep the meeting on track.
Details
One of the common challenges in facilitating meetings is managing expert discussions. When two or more subject-matter experts dive deep into details, their exchange can be valuable—but often only to them. For the rest of the attendees, attention quickly drops. A prolonged technical back-and-forth risks losing the larger group, and once minds wander, it can be difficult to re-engage participants in the meeting.
This is why facilitation requires active steering. When experts begin discussing details that are not relevant to everyone, acknowledge the value of their input and suggest continuing the conversation offline or in a smaller breakout. Then, bring the focus back to the agenda and the needs of the broader group.
By doing so, you not only keep participants engaged but also show respect for everyone’s time and contributions. Striking the right balance—allowing expertise to surface without letting it dominate—ensures that meetings remain inclusive, productive, and aligned with their intended purpose.
Here are some practical facilitator phrases you can use to politely redirect expert discussions without shutting them down:
- “This is a valuable point, but let’s capture it and move the detailed discussion to a follow-up between the experts.”
- “I want to make sure we stay on track with our agenda and keep everyone engaged. Can we summarize the key takeaway for the group?”
- “It sounds like this topic deserves deeper exploration. How about we schedule a separate session with the right people?”
- “Let’s pause here—what’s the main decision or action the group needs to take from this?”
- “I appreciate the insights. For now, let’s note this as an action item to revisit, so we can keep the broader discussion moving.”
- “This level of detail may not be relevant for everyone in the room. Can you give us the high-level summary?”
- “To respect everyone’s time, let’s wrap this point and circle back offline if needed.”