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Friday, December 5, 2014

Running Streamlined and Powered-Up Meetings: A “Helmets Off” and “Hands On” Interactive-Strategic Playshop

I received an email from a friend and colleague, a Retired US Army Colonel, a former Battalion and Brigade Commander at Ft. Hood, TX.  Attached was a chapter, “The Importance of Workplace Meetings,” from an American Management Association publication.  LP suggested reading it and basically doing my magic (okay, he said “shtick”) and turn it into an uncommon Stress Doc program.  (He has brought me in or seen me present at Battalion to Command-level Retreats numerous times.)  This now Retired Colonel fairly recently entered the corporate world and is adapting to a new work culture.  He is well-positioned to be acutely aware of the amount of time wasted in unnecessary and poorly planned or run meetings.

As an aside, LP is a bit larger than life – very bright and knowledgeable, dynamic, articulate, and caring, a truly charismatic leader; and for the first time, he just became a grandpa.  And when E. F. Hutton speaks…
 
So I went to work on a program description and objectives.  Below are the fruits of my labor.  In fact, at a morning brainstorm, I showed it to a Senior Diabetes Educator/Network Coordinator at the University of Maryland Medical Center (for whom I'm the closing speaker for a UMMC Conference in March).  She was impressed with the conceptual and operational richness captured, and agreed that it can be streamlined as a keynote or a 2-hour workshop or expanded as a 2-day (or longer) retreat, or an ongoing seminar series.

The Meeting Conundrum

I’ve been wondering why when we are working harder and faster, sometimes smarter…sometimes not, there’s still a broad consensus that we waste too much time in meetings.  Or, at minimum, many meetings seem to underachieve in terms of productive value.  In fact, early this morning I delved into a free associative flow:
 
And as we work faster and faster and are increasingly distracted by our involvement (perhaps obsession) with our smart gadgets, and are often more isolated from one another, the need for meaningful – human not just virtual – relating (not just “interconnectivity”) expands.  Yet we seem less and less able (or less willing or comfortable) to take the time, energy, and effort to reach out and truly connect, that is, touch someone.  Or, when having the opportunity to “meet,” we seem scattered, unable to focus on the task or issue or emotion at hand.  We frequently are reduced to mindless chatter.  Perhaps forever escaping face-to-face dialogue not to mention genuine conflict engagement, our Emotional Intelligence quotient is shrinking (or needs “shrinking.”)  Maybe it’s virtual garbage in…actual garbage out.  During a meeting, no longer alone at a workstation, we hunger for some nurturing, but only can partake in fast food for thought or, conversely present a rigid TNT – Time-Numbers-Technology – driven mindset.  And, naturally, the critical challenge is the need for leadership and guidance that facilitates mindful integration.  My latest mantra:
 
Remember…Running Effective, Efficient & Engaging Meetings Build
“Performance & Partnership” Teams and Bridge the High Tech-Human Touch Divide!
 
As always, would very much appreciate any and all feedback.  Thanks for sharing with any interested parties.  Please call or e-holler with any questions or interest in this program.  Best wishes and good adventures.
 
Mark
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Running Streamlined and Powered-Up Meetings:
 
A “Helmets Off” & “Hands On” Interactive-Strategic Playshop (scheming for both “same room” and distant/multiple site e-meetings or phone/video conferences)
 
The complex, far-flung, and always flying worlds of business and government demand connectivity, collaboration, and creativity.  A TNT – Time-Numbers-Technology – driven and distracted environment often sets up the “Team Meeting Catch 2 + 2”.  While well-planned and well-run meetings are critical to company or organizational success, alas, in a hyper-paced, crisis- or chaos-driven, attention-diminished climate this is typically the exception.  The rule:  too many workplace meetings that too often are a waste of time and money!  Bottom line:  Day-to-day, meetings are your largest human capital-operational expenditure…What’s your ROI?
 
Today’s company, institution, or government organization require “performance and partnership” meetings that:  1) are more time and objectives savvy, more effective and efficient and engaging, 2) integrate multiple worksites as well as balance learning needs of new and seasoned employees, 3) help an organization anticipate, design, and adapt to rapidly changing structures and procedures, 4) understand the psycho-cultural impact of change while building a “High Tech & Human Touch” bridge, and 5) transform diverse input and even conflict into consensus, meaningful buy-in, cross-team coordination, along with system-wide application.
 
Such a complex and challenging environment requires people with team leadership, communication, as well as group task and process skills for organizing, running, and facilitating meetings.  And the achievement test is even more rigorous in an e-meeting or e-/phone conference setting.  Still, have no fear…the Stress Doc ™ is here!  Mark Gorkin, MSW, LICSW, an acclaimed “Motivational Psycho-humorist” ™, Stress Resilience-Humor-Team Building expert for the US Army and other companies and government agencies, delivers high energy and “Get FIT” – FUN-Interactive-Thought-provoking – retreats, workshops, and training programs.  Let the “Doc” challenge and support you, your management cadre, even your entire organization – “Streamline and Power-Up” the group, division, and/or company meeting experience, especially with Regular Staff/Team Meetings, Project Team Meetings, and Cross-Departmental or Matrix Team Meetings.
 
Remember…Running Effective, Efficient & Engaging Meetings
Build “Performance & Partnership” Teams and Bridge the High Tech-Human Touch Divide!
 
Program Objectives:  Dynamic Dozen
 
1.  Identify the Ten Keys for Quality – “Helmets Off and Hands On” – Meetings

2.  Identify the Dangers of Heavy-handed, Top Down Meeting Leadership

3.  Learn the Four “R”s of PRO Relating:  being Respectful, Real, Responsible & Responsive

4.  Five Questions for Determining if a Meeting Is, in Fact, Needed, esp. the ROI Factor-Formula

5.  Use Time, Problem-Focus, and Engagement Dynamics for On-Point and Productive Meetings

6.  Develop Active and Reflective Listening and Questioning Skills for Enhancing Trust and Buy-In

7.  Understand and Respond to the Psycho-Cultural Dynamics of Rapid/Major Structural Change

8.  Understand the Key Components, including Emotional Conflict, in Collaboration and Consensus;
Distinguish when One-on-One Must Precede Group Problem-Solving
 
9.  Tools and Techniques for Transforming Diversity, Difference, and Dissent into Creative Consensus

10. Grasp the Vital Personality Variable and Conflict Style for Maximizing Team Collaboration

11. Apply Group Process Techniques for Developing Cohesiveness and Openness, Trust and Partnership

12. Learn Communication/Engagement/Facilitation Skills and Strategies for “Same Room,” “Multiple Site” and the Three Primary Meeting Types – Staff, Task-Project and Cross-Departmental
 
Seek the Higher Power of Stress Doc Humor:  May the Farce Be with You!
 
Mark Gorkin, the Stress Doc ™, www.stressdoc.com, acclaimed Keynote and Kickoff Speaker, Webinar Presenter, Retreat Leader and Motivational Humorist, is the author of Practice Safe Stress and The Four Faces of Anger. A former Stress & Violence Prevention consultant for the US Postal Service, the Stress Doc leads one-day "Stress Resiliency" workshops for "METRO" Managers and Supervisors of the Washington Metro Area Transit Authority (WMATA).   "The Doc" is also a Team Building and Organizational Development Consultant as well as a Stress Resilience/Wellness Consultant for the international corporate wellness/insurance brokerage group, The Hays Companies.  Mark leads highly interactive, innovative, and inspiring programs for corporations and government agencies, including the US Military, on stress and brain resiliency/burnout prevention through humor, change and conflict management, generational communication, and 3 "R" -- Responsible, Resilient & Risk-Taking -- leadership-partnership team building.
 
Email stressdoc@aol.com for his popular free newsletter & info on speaking programs and phone coaching sessions.  And click the link for his popular 2.5 minute “3 Steps to Overcome Procrastination” Video Clip – http://vimeo.com/73783964.

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