Read This Before Our Next Meeting: How We Can Get More Done
Preparation starts with the meeting leader. He or she must create an agenda and a set of background materials.
Al Pittampalli • Read This Before Our Next Meeting: How We Can Get More Done
In the Modern Meeting, the decision is king. All hail the king.
Al Pittampalli • Read This Before Our Next Meeting: How We Can Get More Done
The ground rules: Let’s invite people who are passionate about the idea. A passionate intern is better than a disinterested executive. Let’s praise liberally. No criticism, not even evaluation. This is not a regular meeting. If it turns into one, then we have failed. Let’s make sure that the measured output of the meeting is the breadth and quantit
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Part of the obligation of the Modern Meeting is that if you want attendance, you must reciprocate with an action plan. That plan should include at least the following: What actions are we committing to? Who is responsible for each action? When will those actions be completed?
Al Pittampalli • Read This Before Our Next Meeting: How We Can Get More Done
SO ARE YOU TELLING ME THAT WHEN I HAVE A DECISION TO MAKE, THE FIRST STEP IS TO REACH OUT TO PEOPLE INDIVIDUALLY FOR ADVICE? Actually, the very first step is deciding how to decide. Ask yourself: Can I make this decision myself? Is this a decision of high, low, or no consequence? If a group is necessary, how and when should I involve them? Does the
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HOW DO I INITIATE A MEETING? Have you first determined that your meeting is necessary? OK, make a list of the people you want to invite. Then cross off everyone except those members who are absolutely critical to the meeting’s purpose. It’s not about sparing feelings; it’s about moving forward. Create a detailed agenda and then ask yourself one mor
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Culture change occurs when a transformational idea spreads to enough people that a massive paradigm shift occurs. Like a virus that makes its way from person to person, spreading exponentially faster, so can the Modern Meeting, until so many people adopt it that a new meeting culture emerges.
Al Pittampalli • Read This Before Our Next Meeting: How We Can Get More Done
After the meeting, the leader should make sure participants are doing what they agreed to do, when they agreed to do it. Hold them accountable. If you don’t, who will?
Al Pittampalli • Read This Before Our Next Meeting: How We Can Get More Done
For high-consequence decisions, the Modern Meeting’s primary function is conflict. Have the group debate the issue. Make sure there is sufficient disagreement. Strive for consensus, but ultimately if no consensus can be reached, you must make the decision yourself. Let the best decision prevail.