Make less of a show of oneself

Chairing a meeting offers great temptations to act out.

Here's how to be less annoying when chairing:

Read the script
Put a bit of spirit into it but don't over-perform it
Do not change the script
Do not add extra material
Do not omit material you find disagreeable
Do not introduce new elements to the meeting
The occasional brief aside or interjection is fine, but a little goes a long way
If you make a mistake, don't broadcast your amusement at yourself: just correct and carry on
Do not give a running commentary on the meeting
Do not give a running commentary on your running of the meeting
Do not share back to sharers or comment on their shares unless that's been agreed by the group
If pausing to do something, pause and do it: do not fill the airwaves as you do it
If there is a pause in sharing because no one has their hands raised: do not fill the airwaves
If you ask people to volunteer (e.g. to read) or announce themselves (e.g. newcomers, people returning after a relapse, visitors), give them space to do so, which means shutting up and allowing silence
If no one is sharing, encourage them to do so, but don't bombard them with verbiage: give them space to think; sometimes no one shares because the chair is occupying the entire space and preventing anyone from concentrating
Do not explain to the group:

If you need to pause to gather yourself, do so, but no need to turn the meeting in a yoga session
In particular:

Don't perform or narrate your own special breathing exercises, particularly if they involve vocalisation
Don't encourage the group to follow suit with their own breathing exercises

In short, do the job exactly as set out, keep it low-key, and otherwise keep your mouth shut.

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