Meetings need more than luck
If you want to get good decisions then you can’t just wing it. Preparation is critical. Planning for a meeting also means getting your mindset right. So think about how to embed high quality values into your meetings. Also think about the behviors that express these high quality values.
In this post you are invited to think about 7 values or commitments that help a meeting to work well. Then put in place practices that support those values.
How to use this worksheet
In the first column is a practice that will help your meetings work better. In the second column is an example, or two, of specific things that you can encourage in your people and meeting practices that bring that value to life.
In the third column you can write “yes” or “no” to indicate if you encourage or do these things in your meetings. If you answer “no” then in the fourth column make a note of what you can do to support these actions / practices in your meetings.
Mettings Best Practice Worksheet
| Best Practice | Actions in support | Yes/No | What to do better |
| Address issues in a transparent and direct manner
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Invite people to talk about feelings and hopes
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| Focus on interests not positions | Ask what is really important | ||
| Generate options for mutual gain | Work for a win-win approach
Let people talk Think of ideas that benefit both |
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| Assure fair process | Make sure everyone knows the rules | ||
| Practice direct communication | Talk with others, not about them
Use “I” & not “you” statements Talk about feelings and what’s important to you |
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| Take a break | If you get stuck put the business aside for a while
If emotions rise pause for prayer |
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| Work at relationships | Apologize
Forgive Try hard to understand the other’s point of view |
Conclusion
Your attitude as a leader or group member is essential for the success of your meetings. I encourage you to grow in your sensitivity to what makes for healthy meetings. This checklist (and I’m sure you can add more values) is one way to do this. When you have done the worksheet include it as part of your Council or Committee’s anual assessment of its performance as a decision-making group.
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