Every day, I invite folks to engage . . . with me and others.

My why boils down to indefatigable curiosity.

This is a life-long pursuit to learn and experience things that are new to me.

Each of us has a circle of family, friends, work associates, acquaintances AKA a SOR (Sphere of Relationships). These are our “peeps”, and our total resource is our membership.

Our respective circles overlap-intersect in myriad ways, and the more we interact with each other, the richer our lives will be.

Every person and relationship has its own unique breath over time. Our connections strengthen as we discover mutual passion and take “personal ownership” of this passion through appropriate action.

The most powerful appropriate action is an invitation to a gathering of people of “like mind” to explore a well defined theme.

Invariably, the right people will show up each with individual perspective regarding the theme.

Most folks would call what I have described above a . . . “Meeting”

The best meetings are those in which everyone present has a voice.

The challenge is figuring out how to be sure that all voices are heard.

Of course, there are many “filters” which might render some voices silent – unheard.

Egotists come with “my way or hit the road”

Introverts who have much wisdom but are short on the courage to speak.

Extroverts whose voices and personalities fill up all of the available space with noise and energy.

People with Positional power (“leaders” – Bosses – “Experts” – and yes . . . even “facilitators” or “consultants” who feel the need to impose their status (prowess) on others who are “less worthy”)

There’s an easy “fix”!

• Invite anyone and everyone who has passion for this theme and promise them that they will be heard.
• DO NOT publish a predetermined “agenda”
• Arrange the chairs in a circle because circles create communication.
• Begin with stating the theme (“This is why we are here together”)
• Describe the Process – “Every person here will have a voice”
• Create the Bulletin Board – Invite participants to submit topics relevant to the theme for discussion
• Open the MarketPlace – prioritize the topics
• Go to work . . . Each person who has submitted a topic will “convene” a session
• Gather Proceedings – Notes taken from each topic session
• Prioritize actions as a result of the meeting –
  • Do now
  • Launch a new initiative/project
  • “Some day” projects

Meetings CAN be useful for all participants.

Hopefully, this post will help you understand how.

All in the interest of getting more done with less effort.

Final thought – GOOGLE less and engage more!

Strategist-CEO of Pareto Realty Real estate sales Professional Inviter-Facilitator-Practicer of Open Space Technology Opening safe space for people & organizations to self-organize around issues & opportunities BarryOwen.US Invite-Listen-Love View more posts