Make Your Meetings More Productive

Try this one thing to get more done together...

I was speaking with a friend and colleauge this week (Bob Hancox of Clarity Development). He asked me one simple question at the start of our call. It took me back a bit. We were just having a friendly call, catching up on our lives and businesses. The question seemed out of place. Bob was my leadership coach years ago and we've transformed the relationship since then into one in which Bob is a colleague, mentor and dare I say trusted friend. This is why the question seemed odd. 

Bob simply asked me, "what do you want to get out of this call?". 

It was a fair question, even thoughtful or considerate on one level. Bob clearly cares about me and wants to honour my time. But the question made me squirm a bit and I couldn't quite put my finger on why. I was expecting to just shoot the breeze and not have to think too deeply, or heaven forbid, take responsibility for the call or any actions arriving from it (full disclosure there). 

Then it dawned on me. How many of our meetings do we all attend that we have that same attitude. It's a full hour of much needed comraderie and rest rather than a working session that will add yet one more thing to an already full plate piled high with dark and steaming deliverables. We all do it... and your team does it to you. Right? 

Bob's question figuratively brought me to the table. I had to think and declare what our hour together might produce. I didn't have to answer for what I wanted Bob to bring to the table, I had to think about what I personally would offer up. I had to step into a place of accountability. I had to make this hour count, for me. My declaration created my accountability. 

Consider applying this to your team. What if you started every meeting with that one question: "What do you want to get out of this meeting?". Don't just lob it out there and let it sit on the table for someone to pick up. No, ensure each person answers. That's the only way you'll get each and every person to create their own accountability. Otherwise, only your high achiever, go-getter will answer. 

"But Mark", you might say, "we don't have time for that". Really? You don't have time NOT to do that. You can't afford another hour sitting around the boardroom table talking about problems without each person walking away committed to and taking action on their contribution to the solution. 

Oh, and if you were to tell me you have too many people to go around the table one by one then I'll simply tell you that you have too many people at the table. Yup, I'm relentless, I'm not giving in on this. Your role as the leader goes well beyond calling and leading a meeting, your job is to ensure action happens by each and every expensive, busy, valuable team member at the table. 

This week, just try it. Take 5 minutes and ask each team member to answer the question: "What do you want to get out of this meeting". See what happens. 

And my hour with Bob? I got what I asked for... a good catch up, some perspective on my current situation and a plan for one clear step forward for us each to build stronger businesses. Thanks Bob. 

Maybe this is the question I should be asking myself...every day. Hmmm.

Think about it.