Want a quick fix for your Team Meeting agendas? Just Add a Verb
Erin Cox (MBA, PCC)
Grow through change with clarity & energy | Exec Coach & Search Consultant | proud Generalist!
I have worked on and with a number of teams - program, leadership, executive, strategy, ops, etc. - and I know running a team is NOT an easy task. You have personalities, priorities, and processes to manage while working simultaneously on and in the business, and all these things converge in the regular team meeting.
I once heard an old rule of thumb that you should dedicate twice the time you will spend in the meeting to planning the meeting. I couldn't decide at the time if that sounded glorious or painful, but either way, I didn't have that kind of time available.
Whether you have 15 minutes or 4 hours, I have learned some simple steps you can take to maximize the time your team spends together. One of the simplest is to ADD A VERB.
Many teams nowadays crowd-source their team meeting agenda topics from their attendees. I applaud this inclusive approach, which I've often seen play out as a running list of bullets in a Teams or Google doc. Sound familiar?
No need to change that. Just ask the contributors to ADD A VERB. As the image above shows, a running list of topics doesn't indicate what kind of conversation the contributor is looking to have. Are we planning the roll-out of a staff survey, or brainstorming topics for it? Are we trouble-shooting an issue with a big event, or hearing updates on sponsorships?
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The difference in verbs means very different participation (and thus, preparation) for the attendees and likely a different amount of time on the agenda.
I know getting busy team members to change their behaviors can be challenging, so I suggest making this shift a simple one - just add that verb!
Will this solve all the issues inherent to team meetings? No. But I'm confident this small shift will make a difference and get you started in a new direction.
AND, my goal is to build the capacity and skills of social impact execs so they can maximize their organizations' impact, so I'll be sharing helpful tips via short posts like this one more often. Stay tuned!
Mission-driven leader with deep experience in organizational learning & development
6 个月??♀???♀? Oooh I want extra credit! Is it that the second one saves updates (aka less interactive item) for the end? Thanks for this helpful tip (& continuing to promote the untapped potential of meetings), Erin Cox (MBA)!
Founder @ Ifteem Space ? Only 1 hour/week & One Streamlined System to close deals and grow community on LinkedIn and beyond → Helped 300+ Personal Brands in USA, UK, CA, SE. $1.3M+ in sales ??
6 个月Love this!!
Founder & Principal @ Good Growth Strategies | Supporting the Social Sector
6 个月You told me this years ago, I still use it! It’s the little things that stick with you ??
Community Builder, Experienced Leader, Lifelong Youth Advocate. 2022 NFL Inspiring Change Changemaker. 2023 TEDxRoxbury Speaker, 2024 INP Change Maker.
6 个月This is great! Thanks for the tip!
Reclaim yourself | Brand & Identity for Accomplished Leaders | Speaker, consultant, writer, coach
6 个月Erin Cox (MBA) this is so good! It's so simple and easy to remember and honestly I have NEVER thought of this before. Genius.