While some leaders seem mystified that people dislike their meetings … and question why staff disappear faster than the flick of a light switch … take heart.
Cognitive scientists are uncovering facts that show how meetings work for or against the human brain. It depends on what you do as leader and what participants do too. 
Wonder why people only retain only a small fraction of what they hear in meetings? Or why participants who have ownership in meetings benefit more from them?
Neuroscience has found that the brain builds better connections when folks are not told what to do - but are involved fully in the process. Why so?
People experience adrenaline-like bursts of insight as they go through the process of making their own connections, says David Rock, CEO at Results Coaching Systems.
This new discovery of the brain’s enormous plasticity could save your meeting and offer real benefits to staff. It takes considerable effort on your part though … to turn cognitive science facts into practical takeaways … at your next gathering.
At the end of each meeting -- require staff to complete an exit slip as their ticket to leave the meeting. Each person fills in one thing they really liked about the meeting and one thing they’d do differently. Here’s the clincher.
Then alter your next meeting to fit in whatever reasonable requests were made … in any way you can. Give staff more voice and they’ll value meetings more as well as offer input for growth! Sound like a win-win?
The brain springs alive with insights for change … when people start by listing positives. You may wish to give people a choice not to add their names to their exit slip.
Do be sure let them know you’ll attempt to implement any changes they suggest. Give people a significant voice in meetings and watch curiosity and zest for quality rise almost immediately … as staff meetings take on new brainpower.
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