Video: How brainwriting can neutralize the loudmouths

It's a big source of frustration when running an idea-generation session: one or two people who dominate the conversation and shut everyone else down.

How bad can it get? According to Leigh Thompson, J. Jay Gerber Professor of Dispute Resolutions and Organizations, research indicates that in a typical six-person meeting, two people do more than 60 percent of the talking. Increase the size of the group, and the problem only gets worse.

What to do? Hand out pens and cards and get everyone writing—brainwriting.

Prof. Thompson outlines the process and explains how it helped save a key off-site meeting.