Page 202 - Make Work Great

Mobilizing Groups

meeting. If Larry doesn’t already have the skills and/or knowledge to
deliver the budget summary presentation, he needs to fi nd them or
renegotiate his commitment with Paula, the meeting’s leader.

Notice also that in terms of clarity regarding relationships, the
completeness of the meeting fl ow is the key:

• The defi nition of each item in the meeting fl ow provides clar-
ity about the question, defi ning exactly what will be discussed and
explored during each time segment.
• The defi nition of format provides clarity about the approach,
so attendees know in advance what type of activity, discussion, or
presentation to expect.
• The expected outcome of each item gives clarity about the
need for agreement, if there is such a need. It is especially important
in group settings to defi ne the need for agreement and the process
for obtaining agreement in advance of the fi rst confl ict; this way it
becomes a boundary condition and not a point of contention.

Structured Flexibility
Of course, none of this is to say that a meeting specifi cation, once writ-
ten, can’t be adjusted. To stay with the example in Figure 8.3, imag-
ine that a question arises in Larry’s budget presentation that grabs
the group’s attention. As the end of his allotted time approaches, the
group is engaged in a seemingly important conversation that appears
as though it will require at least another 15 minutes to resolve itself.

Quick Video: Group Decision Making That Works

Visit www.MakeWorkGreat.com for a short video segment about how

to define the process for agreement in group settings. This is also
an easy bit of information to share if you’re trying to describe the
contents of this chapter to a trusted friend or colleague.

183