Meetings... !
There's a vast difference between a productive meeting and a waste of time - and that difference relies on the success of the following three elements; Purpose. Focus, and Timing.
Using the principals of Effective Intelligence - The WHY we are here will determine where our mental energies will be directed.
Is the purpose of the meeting to make decisions? Make way for the skilled Blue Thinkers. Is the purpose to present information? Enter the Hard Reds. Or, is it to gather new ideas, find solutions or make changes? Green's - your time to shine!
Recognising where our preferences and skill base lies allows us to move in and out of discussions as needs dictate. If, in reaching a decision after all the options are laid out, the enthusiastic Green pops up with yet another idea - it can derail the purpose, slow down the process and often halt progress.
Meetings can be more effective when the Focus "What exactly is needed" is clear. What do we need in order to proceed to ... How will we accomplish that? Who are the best people to help?
Initially, clusters of like-thinking people could group to brainstorm, and research. Once those tasks have been accomplished they may not want or need to be at further meetings. If Time-frames are in place and known to all, tasks can be completed more efficiently, especially when people's thinking preferences and skills are a natural match for the task. Knowing how to weave particular "thinkers" in and out of a process naturally streamlines meetings, by eliminating any distracting and destructive elements.
So that all relevant parties remain in the loop, updates can be accessed electronically removing the need to be in attendance physically. There are many companies and organisations moving into innovative ways of meeting... Is it time for your workplace to review and trial some new "Meetings" ideas?
Using the principals of Effective Intelligence - The WHY we are here will determine where our mental energies will be directed.
Is the purpose of the meeting to make decisions? Make way for the skilled Blue Thinkers. Is the purpose to present information? Enter the Hard Reds. Or, is it to gather new ideas, find solutions or make changes? Green's - your time to shine!
Recognising where our preferences and skill base lies allows us to move in and out of discussions as needs dictate. If, in reaching a decision after all the options are laid out, the enthusiastic Green pops up with yet another idea - it can derail the purpose, slow down the process and often halt progress.
Meetings can be more effective when the Focus "What exactly is needed" is clear. What do we need in order to proceed to ... How will we accomplish that? Who are the best people to help?
Initially, clusters of like-thinking people could group to brainstorm, and research. Once those tasks have been accomplished they may not want or need to be at further meetings. If Time-frames are in place and known to all, tasks can be completed more efficiently, especially when people's thinking preferences and skills are a natural match for the task. Knowing how to weave particular "thinkers" in and out of a process naturally streamlines meetings, by eliminating any distracting and destructive elements.
So that all relevant parties remain in the loop, updates can be accessed electronically removing the need to be in attendance physically. There are many companies and organisations moving into innovative ways of meeting... Is it time for your workplace to review and trial some new "Meetings" ideas?
