In my opinion, the key to balanced participation is proactive facilitation and fostering a psychologically safe environment. Setting ground rules is essential, but it’s even more effective when the facilitator models inclusive behavior—actively encouraging quieter members and tactfully redirecting dominant voices. I’ve seen structured activities like small-group discussions or anonymous idea submissions work well, as they allow more reserved individuals to contribute without feeling pressured. The key is to make everyone feel their input is valued, not just heard. Have you ever experienced a situation where someone dominated a session?

It's a good idea to structure the discussion so that not one person can dominate-- for example, having participants talk in pairs or trios first and making sure that everyone has an equal chance to speak. Or the facilitator can ask participants to write out their ideas first and post them on a wall, then discuss. Often, a person tends to dominate the discussion when they feel that they are not heard. So a facilitator can ensure that they are fully heard and their ideas acknowledged, before asking for inputs from others.

Norms (ground rules) help. You can also use different techniques such as small groups and brain writing to enable full participation. Always use active listening so that all hear what is being said.

Use the "Talking Totem" Strategy to ensure balanced participation. Give a symbolic object, like a toy or stone, to the speaker. Only the person holding it can talk. After speaking, they must pass it to someone new. If someone dominates, introduce a "Totem Challenge." Before speaking again, they must ask a question or summarize another’s point. This forces active listening. If a shy participant hesitates, they can choose a teammate to co-share. This gamifies the discussion, controls overtalkers, and makes the session fun and inclusive. Everyone gets a voice, and the team engages better!