Frame your meetings for clarity.
A good meeting is packed with productive conversation, ideas, and momentum. All of that forward movement evaporates as soon as you walk out the door if each team member does not have clarity on what happens next.
Before you wrap up a meeting:
🛑 Don't:
- Assume that everyone knows their individual responsibilities moving forward;
- Assume that everyone understands the direct correlation between their task list and the mission of your team's work;
- Finish the agenda without crystal clear, concrete next steps.
✅ Do:
- Take 5 minutes to ask each team member what their takeaways and next steps are;
- Get aligned on timelines for completing work;
- Remind everyone why they're here and how the work contributes to hitting goals or achieving the mission*; That reminder can sound something like “Ok team, we are here to capitalize on the wisdom and creativity in this room to recruit more students / build beautiful homes / offer the highest level of customer service. Right now our competitors are in a room dreaming big. Let's dream bigger and get moving.” Or something like that. You know your team. Motivate them - or turn to the Galvanizer on your team to motivate them. But take 10 seconds to remind everyone of your rallying cry.
*If you've been in a workshop with me, you have probably heard me tell the story of my son's Bible teacher who starts Every. Single. Class by saying “I'm so excited to be here today, because today we have the opportunity to learn Bible together.” It centers the kids and it centers him on what's important, and why they're there.
Stay focused. Be inspiring. Be memorable.
