How To Choose The Right Conference Chair During Meeting?

Have you ever noticed that the position of the conference chair you seated will determine the role you play in this conference. According to researches conducted by psychologists, different shapes of conference desk will make a great difference in this communication. The arrangement of position during a meet implies a lot. If you are interested in this results, please read on.

 

 

Square-shaped desk

 

If your company’s conference desk is square-shaped, a typical type commonly found in most of companies, this table could be divided into six parts and we marked them with A,B,C,D,E,F respectively just as following.

 

 

Chair A :

 

This conference chair usually is reserved for the superior or boss, the VIP or the person leading the meeting. This is especially true if a projector screen is behind them.

 

Chair B & C:

 

People seated on the both sides of the boss usually are considered as the most supportive of the Power Player. This may or may not actually be the case. However, both B and C conference chairs are convenient to whisper things in the boss’s ear. At least, people seated on the two chairs are more likely to be heard by the boss if the whole conference is speaking at the same time. Dr. Richard Winters of the Mayo Clinic, who also is a professional and executive coach for healthcare leaders, considers these as the flanking positions:

 

“When you sit in this position you can influence the steps of the meeting by assisting. You can draw attention towards or away from topics. You can prompt a speeding up or slowing down of the agenda.” — Dr. Richard Winters

 

Chair D:

 

The middles are going to get less eye contact and less floor time simply because of the nature of a boardroom table. This can be a good place to go into stealth mode. If you have no choice and have to sit in the middle, be prepared to speak up if you want to be heard.

 

Insider Tip: If you lean forward and raise your hand slightly, you can garner eye contact and attention if you want to add an important comment.

 

Chair E:

 

If you are sitting opposite your boss, you better have a lot to say. Typically, when we are facing off with someone, we feel more contrarian toward them. Be keenly aware of this if you end up in this seat.

 

If you want to be the Contender — be ready to speak and address the Power Player directly.

If you do not want to be the Contender — but are forced into this seat — be more verbally and non-verbally supportive. To counteract your seat, smile more, nod more, and give more supportive feedback.

 

Insider Tip: Sometimes if two people are running a meeting, they take both ends of the table. This is a great way to physically show a balanced viewpoint, with info coming from both sides.

 

Chair F:

 

Need to sneak out early? Don’t want to be heard? Aren’t a Power Player just yet? Then the sideline is for you. This can be near the door — especially if you have to leave — or as an assistant behind the boss.

 

What’s your goal or mode in a meeting?

 

Dr. Winters has found that people typically either want to be seen and heard, or don’t. If you have so many thoughts or suggests want to put forward, you could choose position B and C or E. while if you don’t want to be heard and notices, you had better choose F or D which positions could help you turn into stealth mode.

 

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