Meetings that Generate Involvement

When it comes to meetings, people are constantly making choices. They choose whether and when to show up and whether and when to leave. They choose how much energy they will put forth. They choose to speak up or remain silent. When you understand the power of choice, you conduct your meetings differently. Meetings are rituals that convey powerful messages about how people are going to be involved. Examining our current meeting rituals gives insight into the hidden message behind our actions. Designing meetings using the meeting canoe helps create new rituals that give your meetings the involvement edge.

Is it possible to have a meeting without using the process we've just described? Can you hold gatherings without welcoming people, building connections, building a shared understanding of the way things are, crafting a picture of where you want to go, deciding who does what, and saying goodbye? Of course. But will these gatherings generate the kind of involvement that gets things done? We doubt it.