Source: Death by Meeting by Patrick Lencioni
Reason to read: To learn useful frameworks for having meetings that don’t suck.
Patrick Lencioni is a business consultant, speaker, and author who has decades of experience working with high-level executives and their teams.
In this book, Patrick calls us out for tedious and uninspired meetings. Too many hours are wasted around conference tables and in Zoom calls without any meaningful engagement.
Why is it that we can sit at rapt attention for hours in a dark movie theater, but somehow can’t make it through a 30-minute staff meeting without checking our phones?
The difference is drama.
Drama is the engine that drives a movie forward. Over the years, screenwriters have mastered the art of conflict to draw you in and keep you entertained.
Do the same to make your meetings more engaging.
Here’s how:
- Hook them from the beginning. Give people a reason to believe that the conversation you’re about to have is meaningful and will lead to important decisions.
- Mine for conflict. An intelligent group of diverse people will seldom agree on issues that matter. Working to resolve those differences and compromise on a unique solution is interesting, productive, and fun.
- Give permission. Sometimes you have to coax opinions out of an individual who’s hesitant to share their honest feelings.
I’m challenged by these ideas because it goes against every fiber in my body to show my emotions. But being a leader isn’t about being comfortable, it’s about being effective.
Effective leaders focus less on agendas and more on engagement. They adapt their style in order to bring out the best in their team.
Apply it today: Consider how you’re going to set the tone at the beginning of your next meeting. Bring the energy. Give your team a reason to care by connecting the purpose for meeting with a greater mission.
Now think back to a recent meeting that you enjoyed. What about it made it engaging and worthwhile?