What’s a great meeting? Part of it is that everyone can participate. The talkative people don’t talk too much, and the quieter people get a chance to talk.
Some places formalize this by asking people to “step up/step back.” That is, if you’re quiet, set up and speak up. If you’re talkative, step back and listen up.
But some folks really have a challenge stepping back.
The Chief Happiness Officer blog offers up Five simple ways to STFU in meetings
- Put your hand over your mouth
- Ask some great questions
- Keep track of how often you blab
- Notice how you feel when you’re quiet
- Ask yourself a simple question: “Is what I’m about to say something I need to say or something the other participants need to hear?”
(For the acronym challenged, STFU is “Shut the F**k up.)
Great suggestions, and thank you to Jeff Brooks for the recommendation.
3 comments ↓
Can we mandate this at teachers’ meetings???
I often pass the time playing “bingo”, cuz I know exactly what’s going to be said: we aren’t paid enough; the kids are horrible; the job is too hard; no one respects us; the district sucks. (And btw, I only agree with one of those statements)
Whatever the meeting is, it’s hard to get mandate for this. You have to have a strong chair to call people out if they talk too much or go way off topic, even if most people would be grateful for the intervention.
I like the teaser, though, I wonder which of the statements you agree with. I’m pretty sure it’s not “the kids are horrible,” and I know you love your job, so I doubt you think it’s too hard.
:cough: the district sucks :cough:
But yep, I love that damn gig, MOST days!!
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