That agenda you brought to the meeting? In some companies, that’s just wishful thinking. That’s because in some meetings the secondary (often hidden) agendas each person has, overrides any master planning.
This mesh of multiple hidden agendas results in complexities of craziness.
High-performing teams have shared objectives, and they also expect and want members to have their own motivations and objectives as it relates to their responsibilities. To have such desires is human.
Those who ignore this fact complicate things by allowing invisible, clashing forces in their meetings.
Here are three steps we’ve observed the most effective leaders take in meetings to simplify discussions:
1) Identify the collective purpose of the meeting – and the outcome needed that aligns with a business need.
2) Then, when important, ask, “Beyond the outcome we’ve identified, what individual motivations or objectives do we each have?” (Tip: Rather than asking if there are any individual motivations, assume there are – and ask the questions accordingly. You might have to model first by sharing your own – thereby demonstrating such individual motivations are natural and expected.)
3) Feedback is king in changing behaviors. As team members are increasingly transparent about their individual motivations, applaud their “all in” actions.
How will you bring sophisticated simplicity to your meetings today by honoring the individual motivations of those around you?
