Many times meetings are one-way communication “Data Dumps”.
The Agenda is filled with Project Updates and reports from subcommittees and you sit passively listening while the person in the front talks. Then you simply move on to the next item.
Not only is this boring, you are not using the strengths and experience of the different people on your team.
Here’s one simple step you can use at the end of each Agenda Item that will help you max out the value of the discussion and make rapid improvements in your team’s performance.
Partner Share/Group Share
When you are done updating the group on a project the Partner Share/Group Share process allows the group to quickly brainstorm ways to improve what you are doing.
[Click for the Full Partner Share Script]
Once the spokesperson has finished their project update, tell the group:
“Find a Partner or form a Group of Three”
These next three steps will get the team sharing their ideas with their partners and then with the whole group.
Step 1:
Say, “You have two minutes to SHARE with your PARTNER(S) what you feel is the most important part of what you just heard and why.”
Most people do their best thinking and troubleshooting in small groups. We all love to “bounce our ideas off of someone.” We guarantee a lively discussion will ensue.
Step 2:
When the timer goes off, ask “Now take two minutes to SHARE with your PARTNERS how this project could be made even better.”
Step 3:
When that is done ask:
“Who would like to SHARE your conclusions with the rest of the GROUP?”
Only the biggest, best and most passionately felt ideas will come out and the rest of the team gets a chance to comment.
We guarantee this to be the best seven minutes of feedback your projects have ever had.
Here are the key points:
- Use Groups of two and three - the dynamics of a very small group are essential. In twos and threes you will get 100% participation and honest feedback that is often missing in larger group discussions
- Use a Timer and stick to the 2 minutes - time pressure brings out the best ideas quickly.
- Always End with a Group Share - this puts the best ideas on the table for the whole group to see.
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