Four Essential Questions To Keep Your Team Meetings On Track

Meetings when done well, can be an outstanding mechanism for collaboration, innovation, and progress. But oftentimes, these meetings veer into a monotonous cycle of updates or repetitive discussions without tangible outcomes, rendering it a waste of time.

There are 4 four simple questions you can build into your agenda immediately that will dramatically transform the focus, efficacy and impact of your team meetings.

I use these 4 questions with each of the companies I coach and train when working to improve team productivity.

Here they are:

1. What’s working?

Amidst the whirlwind of challenges and ongoing tasks, it's pivotal to take a step back and acknowledge the progress being made. By identifying what's working well within the team, we not only celebrate achievements but also unveil crucial insights into our strengths and effective strategies.

This question fosters a culture of appreciation and positivity, elevating team morale and motivation.

2. What’s not?

Equally imperative is the recognition of areas where we encounter stumbling blocks or inefficiencies. Embracing a culture where team members feel comfortable highlighting obstacles or bottlenecks in a specific project or more generally, enables us to pinpoint areas ripe for improvement.

This question invites constructive criticism and acts as a catalyst for change, encouraging a proactive approach towards problem-solving.

3. What are you/we going to do about it?

Beyond recognizing issues lies the crux of progress – action. This question propels the team towards taking responsibility and crafting actionable plans and strategies to address identified shortcomings or capitalize on successes.

It shifts the focus from mere acknowledgment to active participation and accountability, building a culture of ownership and commitment within the team.

4. What support do you/we need?

Collaboration thrives on the premise of mutual support and understanding. By posing this question, leaders create an environment where team members feel empowered to seek assistance or offer help when required.

It strengthens team bonds, promotes a sense of camaraderie, and ensures that no team member feels isolated in their challenges.

When integrated into team meetings, these four questions serve as a compass, guiding discussions towards actionable outcomes and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

By building them into our team meetings, we pave the way for collaborative success, innovation, and a shared journey towards excellence.

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About The Author: Cameron Atlas delivers keynotes, coaching & training for companies committed to building high performing cultures, increasing sales and driving innovation. To learn more, simply visit cameronatlas.com/mastery