by: Chris Goldsbury

Have you ever been through a meeting where the purpose was unclear, the background was misty, the discussion drifted in confusion, none of the attendees were introduced and one week later a follow-up meeting was scheduled only to repeat the same listless course of direction? “Let’s table this discussion and come back to it next week after we’ve had time to think about it,” the facilitator states emphatically. But when you return the next week everyone has forgotten the topic and since no notes were sent out it becomes a game of he-said-she-said as to what really transpired. The team leaves each subsequent meeting more confused, and lost than the last. Eventually people stop attending, and whatever effort, project or issue was supposed to be addressed is escalated.

A crisis in project leadership often starts with poor meeting facilitation skills. The meeting is a tool. Used well, any individual, irrespective of role, can orchestrate and lead a group of people toward a goal. Used poorly, the meeting becomes a stage to illustrate why you shouldn’t be leading anything. Tough words? Not as tough as the criticism and rumors that will fly behind your back….but yes, I’m not holding any punches back. Click to continue »