How to hold a meeting.
No Stories-Blame-Excuses-Statements of Intent:
1. Start on time with an attention-getter.
o It is not polite to wait for everyone to arrive before starting, in fact that is impolite. It disrespects the courtesy that others have shown by arriving on time. Kill the concept of being "fashionably late".
o A good starter for most meetings is to loudly announce "Welcome Everyone! Let's get started." Then proceed as if you already had their attention.
2. Hold the focus. Be intentional.
o Begin with the end in mind.
o We know we are creating value.
3. Listen when others talk. Pay attention.
o I will listen to each as I wish to be listened too.
o I will participate & ask questions.
4. Everyone gets a chance to talk. Practice listening.
o We agree to limit each speaker to _______time.
o Everyone gets to speak.
5. Find the common ground. Learn to blend.
o Whenever it begins to look like conflict we look for common ground.
6. Consider multiple views. “If you have to be right, you’re probably wrong.”
o I agree that all of us are smarter than any of us. Synergy.
7. Discuss differences calmly. Enjoy diversity.
o Exercise the Golden Rule. Quid pro quo
8. Find the good. Even if it is opposition.
o I will consider the benefits.
9. Solutions are better than blame. “Do trips are better than don’t trips.”
o We will learn from the past and apply in the future.
o What can we learn?
10. Finish on time. “If the only prayer you ever say is ‘thank you’ it will suffice.”
And when the end time has arrived, even if the meeting didn't achieve its goals, offer people the opportunity to adjourn as they expected.
A Business Insight for Success:
It is said that every business person uses a mirror and a window.
Successful people use the mirror when things go wrong to determine if they could improve to avoid that problem in the future.
“What can I do to improve my business?”
When things go well for the succcessful person, they look through the window assuming that it must be the market that allowed their success, it must have been the team they have assembled that accomplished the great results.
“Who, whom or what are my power partners?”
Unsuccessful people also have a mirror & a window. They use them in opposite ways.
When things go wrong they look through the window looking for the problem out there.
“The market is bad. The economy stinks. Who, whom or what is doing ‘it’ to me?”
When things are going well, the unsuccessful business person takes out the mirror to tell themselves how great they are. “It’s all about me.”
Its not the mirror or the window, its how you use them.
