When folks come back into the classroom after a break, have you ever had trouble getting their attention? It’s a rare instructor who hasn’t faced this problem at one time or another! Often, students enjoy each other’s company SO much that they want to keep visiting and chatting with one another, when you desperately need them to refocus.

To paraphrase Robert Redford (from a movie that only older readers may remember: The Candidate), there IS a better way!

I have seen the eminent trainer Bob Pike use this technique several times over the years, successfully. I’ve even used it myself a couple of times, when I’ve remembered to do so, and it works!

Then, in the March 2008 issue of Successful Meetings magazine, Vincent Alonzo covered the same technique in a short, helpful article, “Clap Three Times”. In the article, he reports that a luncheon speaker was about to address an audience that showed NO interest in quieting down or giving the speaker their attention…

But then Barb Taylor Carpender, CMM, CHSC of Taylored Alliances in Denver, CO saved the day. She went to the podium introduce Mary and the first thing she said was: “If you can hear my voice, clap once.” About a quarter of the audience clapped once–and, more importantly, shut up. Then she said: “If you can hear my voice, clap twice.” About three quarters of the audience clapped and stopped talking. Finally she said: “If you can hear my voice, clap three times.” Practically the entire audience clapped–followed by only the sound of knives and forks clinking against their plates. That neat little trick totally subdued the audience and got them in the proper frame of mind to listen to Mary’s terrific presentation about how to create interactive learning experiences and meetings.”

Try it the next time you’re “dying for attention”!