Title: Pacing Practice
Course: PIM: Teaming 1: Communication > Section: 1. Pacing

Follow the activity instructions and then submit your document or recording here.

Hold a conversation with one or more friends or family members during which you perform a pacing style that is NOT your usual one. Try to maintain that style for at least 5 minutes. For example, if you are more of a turn-taker, try playing the role of a pauser or an overlapper. Don't tell your conversation partner/s that you are playing a role. (Note: If you are completing this module for a class, consider gathering classmates for the conversation since they also need to complete this assignment. Keep your roles secret.)

Following your conversation, either write 1-2 paragraphs or make a brief recording in which you address the questions under both parts below.

Part I: The Experiment

1. Who took part in the conversation, and what happened?
2. What role did you play, and how did it feel?
3. What is your greatest takeaway from this experience?

Part II: Applying What You learned

When differences in pacing style co-exist on a team, everyone can feel frustrated. Some strategies to ensure that everyone contributes thoughts and ideas include:

- inviting someone who hasn't spoken to share their ideas
- "mirroring" -- adjusting your pacing style to that of those around you
- meta-communication -- in this instance, communicating about the fact that there are different pacing styles present and helping everyone recognize rather than judge them.

Which of the above strategies -- or what other strategy that you think of -- do you already use or would you be most comfortable using? Briefly describe a past conversation where this strategy was or would have been helpful or a current situation where you might use this strategy: what is/was the challenge, and how might this strategy address that challenge?

Submit your document or recording here.