How to conduct motivating meetings
that inspire productivity.
I'm a mountain climber. I have been most of my
life. I believe that the hardest mountains we ever climb are the ones
we can't see. Those everyday challenges we experience at work and at
home, when viewed as a mountain climb, may be transformed into adventure
and positive change.
Approaching our meetings and seminars in the spirit
of the 'climb' will transform work challenges into bright new beginnings.
Our challenge is to create meetings that inspire participants to learn,
push their boundaries into 'out of the box' creative problem solving,
help them grow individually and as a team, and allows them to have fun
in the process. The positive change that results will be an action plan
implemented by an energized team that works together towards common
goals, AND a detailed system of accountability.
To be successful in climbing a mountain, you must
train and prepare, know where you want to go, chart your route, work
together as a team, take it step by step, take some risk, and overcome
obstacles you meet along the way. When you reach your destination, the
process of working hard towards your goal, transforms the ordinary into
the extraordinary.
Here are some mountain climbing concepts that will
help your participants to reach the peak at your 'mountain climbing'
meetings.
BE PREPARED
Customize so the material has meaning
Do pre interviews and assessments to assure that you understand
what they need
Prepare well thought out and visually pleasing handouts
Understand their business and all about their competitors
VISUALIZE THE PEAK
Let participants be involved in determining objectives
Set ground rules that create a safe environment that promotes
group and individual participation
Chart your route and make a plan
Make sure everyone involved understands the objectives
Be prepared to change direction
THROW THE ROPE...
Use an easy approachable communication style
Use ice breakers at first to open communication
They are a 'well spring' of knowledge. Tap into it by letting
them learn from each other. They have ALL the answers themselves.
Focus on them
Work in groups
Ask questions and listen. Make sure everyone understands each
other
Honor differences and opinions of everyone
TAKE ONE STEP AT A TIME
Repeat important points many times in many different ways
Include lots of content... But not TOO much... Just enough so
they learn what they need to know in order to do their job better
Use metaphors and stories
ADOPT THE ADVENTURE ATTITUDE
Have fun
Use variety in media: audio, visual, props
Help them to get out of their heads… be a little goofy.. and
be creative
Use lots of interaction
Take breaks … they are important energizers
CLIMB OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE
Have them try new things
Push just a little…. But not too much
Use a variety of approaches that will help everyone to see things
from new and different perspectives
SOARING ABOVE THE PEAK
Conclude with action plans that will encourage transfer of learning
and promote permanent change
Create an accountability plan together
EMOTIONALLY...
Support yourself so are sure to make progress step by step. How? Carry
a light load. It's hard to climb a mountain with a pack that is too
heavy and it's hard to travel through life that way too. Get rid of
all the extra 'stuff' you carry with you: issues in the past that are
still lurking in the present, extra commitments you said yes to that
are cluttering your head, material things that get in your way and extra
pounds you carry that destroy your self esteem. Especially eliminate
the 'NO' people in your life and surround yourself with 'encouragers'.
The unconditional supporters we have in our lives will always be there
if we fall, and love us anyway. Supporting yourself in these ways will
help you to stay motivated and inspire you to work productively.
