The five Ps of participation

participation noun [uncountable] /pɑː(r)ˌtɪsɪˈpeɪʃ(ə)n/

Worksheet
the process of taking part in something
www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/participation

1 Warmer
Discuss the
Discuss the following
following questions:
questions:
• How often do you attend meetings?
• How often do you attend meetings?
• Which format do they usually take? E.g. face-to-face, Skype, telephone, video
• Which format do they usually take? E.g. face-to-face, Skype, telephone, video, etc.
• Where are they held?
•• Which
Wherelanguage
are they are
held?
they held in?
• Do
• theylanguage
Which follow a format or pattern?
are they held in?

• Do they follow a format or pattern?

2 Brainstorm the most important things that you should know or do when you participate in a meet-
Brainstorming
ing and write them on the word wheel.
Brainstorm the most important things that you should know or do when you participate in a
meeting and write them on the word wheel.

meeting
essentials

Compare your answers with those in the article.

1
D •
TE DE E
SI A L
EB LO B
W N IA

© Macmillan Publishers Ltd and Spotlight Verlag GmbH 2011

M W P
O DO O
FR BE C
O

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT / The five Ps of participation

N T
CA HO
•P
 The five Ps of participation

3 Key words

Worksheet
Match these key words from the article with their definitions and then find them in the article to
read them in context.

disorganized doubts waste convincing atmosphere issues agenda

1. a situation in which time, money or energy is used without bringing any useful result
_________________________

2. a list of things that people will discuss at a meeting _________________________

3. subjects or problems that need to be talked about _________________________

4. Someone who is _________________________ does not deal with things in a clear or sensible way.

5. the mood or feeling that exists in a place and affects the people who are there
_________________________

6. feelings of not being certain about something _________________________

7. believable, certain or persuasive _________________________

slouch behave proactive reflect chair dominate alert

8. paying attention to what is happening and ready to react quickly if necessary

_________________________

9. to sit with your shoulders bent forwards and your head low so that you look lazy
_________________________

10. the person who is in charge of a meeting _________________________

11. taking action and making changes before they need to be made, rather than waiting until problems
develop _________________________

12. to control something or try to be the most important person _________________________

13. act or to do things in a particular way _________________________

14. to show the existence or nature of something _________________________

2
D •
TE DE E
SI A L
EB LO B
W N IA

© Macmillan Publishers Ltd and Spotlight Verlag GmbH 2011

M W P
O DO O
FR BE C
O

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT / The five Ps of participation

N T
CA HO
•P
 The five Ps of participation

Worksheet
by Ken Taylor
The five Ps of pa rtic ipa tio
n
4
r to ensure that Be present
There are certain points to consider in orde Of course, you need to be physically present.
But you also
e of time. Ken Taylor writes
meetings are not a complete wast need to be mentally present. Be alert . Sit up. Conc entrate on
about the five most important poin ts. e note s. Don ’t stare off into
what other people are saying. Mak
the impr essio n that you are
We spend a lot of our working lives sitting
in meetings and space, slouch in your chair or give
to spea k. It’s not enou gh
we don’t want to waste that time. How can
we make sure our impatiently waiting for the chance
goin g on: you also need to
participation is effective? The only area over
which you have simply to be interested in what’s will
if you mak e the effort, you
100 per cent control is your own behaviour.
So, be an effective show that you are interested. And –
beco me more inter estin g
ple to others. Here are discover that meetings actually do
participant yourself and act as a good exam
the five Ps of good participation: and useful.
5
Be prepared Be proactive
1 like others to be.
Good preparation is essential, especially if you
are working in a Try to be the kind of participant you would
t force the chair to drag them
foreign language. Here are some questions
to think about: State your opinions clearly and don’
afrai d to say that you haven’t
out of you. Ask questions. Don’t be
er. The more proactive
• Are all the points on the agenda clear to you? understood something. Be a good listen
on? Are there will get out of it. But don’t
• Do you have to prepare and present informati you are in the meeting, the more you
a good
all the time . Set
background papers you need to read? try to dominate the meeting by speaking
influ ence the way your
• Who will be there? example with your behaviour. This will e
ssion? will no long er be a wast
• What are the potentially difficult areas of discu colleagues behave and your meetings
ings,
s? you beha ve in meet
• What is your opinion on the various issue of time. Also, the more professionally
a business partner.
her you have the the more this will reflect positively on you as
Go through the agenda carefully to see whet
ideas. Take some
words and phrases you need to express your
that you understand
extra time to read the background papers so
tise them.
them. Prepare any short presentations and prac

2 Be punctual
to meetings? Don’t
What do you think of people who arrive late
seem disorganized
be one of them! If you arrive late, you will
w exactly where
and perhaps miss important information. Kno
. Organize your space
the meeting will be held and get there early
everything you need.
at the table in front of you so that you have
r participants. Help
Take the chance to make small talk with othe
officially starts.
create a good atmosphere before the meeting
promised to do at
Be punctual also in completing any work you
previous meetings.
Image: Getty

3 Be positive
what is being said.
It’s very easy to focus on the negative side of ultancy Ltd., an
positive way. Don’t KEN TAYLOR is the director of Taylor Cons
Try to look at other people’s comments in a cy in Lond on, and the
seeing the sense international communication consultan
let your dislike of a colleague prevent you from ness Engl ish.
ts, you should author of 50 Ways to Improve Your Busi
of what they are saying. If you do have doub
This will make
express them in a friendly and reasonable way. -spotlight.de
© Business Spotlight, 5/2011, www.business
what you say more convincing.

3
D •
TE DE E
SI A L
EB LO B
W N IA

© Macmillan Publishers Ltd and Spotlight Verlag GmbH 2011

M W P
O DO O
FR BE C
O

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT / The five Ps of participation

N T
CA HO
•P