I Wish I had Said That

“When all is said and done, more is said than done.” – Aesop

This expression captures what I have seen in many organizations and cleverly focuses on the corresponding lack of results.

Too often meeting participants engage passionately on problem solving and plotting a way forward. The conversation will include the history of the problem, passed failed efforts, new ideas and even very out of the box suggestions. The discussions could consume the entire time allotted, regardless of how long was available.??

The same people, however, devote far less energy and time identifying specific actions to be taken and assigning accountability.?The following meetings revisit the same problem and the same discussion is held each time.?As a result, meaningful work on the problem never happens, but much conversation occurs.??

For a long time, I thought this was from car maker Henry Ford, but recently learned Aesop said it first.

Nonetheless, the wisdom seems timeless.

Some best practices I have seen to avoid this:

1. A clear meeting agenda with desired result stated
2. Pleasant but firm facilitator encouraging relevant, but short, comments
3. Developing a list of next steps and individuals responsible
4. Reviewing that list carefully to begin the next meeting

#GSD | Getting Stuff Done

#Management #Leadership?