The Big Picture

from Able Leader, September 2009

by Steve Kaye

A meeting is more than a group of people gathering to work on an issue.

It’s a microcosm of a person’s lifetime. Here's how:

1) It begins with a vision.

Leaders build the future by imagining something that could be better. Then they refine this vision into a sequence of achievements that serve as the milestones on the way to realizing it. In both meetings and life these milestones are the goals.

Goals answer the fundamental question: What will we do?

Every meeting, every life, must have goals. These goals can appear in many forms, either as the solution to a puzzle, the endpoint of a project, the realization of a dream, or the completion of a task.

Effective goals must be clear and specific so that others understand them. Goals must be honest by relating to the vision and including time. And goals must be achievable, yet challenging.

Consider: Do you have clear goals that define what you’re doing?

2) It requires inspiration.

Inspiration comes from the purpose behind a vision. This purpose is the benefit, or reward, derived from achieving the goals.

A purpose answers the fundamental question: Why are we doing this?

Every meeting, every life, must have a purpose.

Ideally, the purpose is grand, impressive, and admirable. Ideally, the purpose includes others (instead of just the person who created the vision). Ideally, the purpose is positive because then it leads to lasting results.

Consider: Do you have a purpose that inspires you? That inspires others?

3) It follows a plan.

Plans are the instructions that define the actions necessary to accomplish goals. As with any blueprint, plans must be complete and specific. They must tell exactly what people will do and how they will do it.

Plans answer the fundamental question: How are we going to do this?

In a meeting, this plan is the list of activities that occupies most of an agenda. (The rest of the agenda consists of the goals and purpose plus information on logistics.)

In life, the plan is a map for achieving everything that matters. This includes accumulating wealth, building relationships, leaving a legacy, and staying healthy (both emotionally and physically).

Consider: Do you have a plan? Is your plan written?

4) It requires work.

Everything requires work. There is no reward without it. There is, however, a significant difference between being busy and being productive.

Work answers the fundamental question: How does this add value?

A meeting is a business activity. Thus it must be conducted like one. An effective meeting is characterized by: a) intensive teamwork directed toward achieving the goal for the meeting, b) careful allocation of resources, such as time and payroll, and c) methodical progress toward results. Then overall, the meeting earns a profit for the business.

Similarly, life is a business activity. Thus, it too must be designed to earn a profit. That profit should be financial, social, and emotional gains that increase a person’s freedom and influence. People achieve this by designing a lifestyle blended with a career that results in a positive return on their investment of time.

Consider: Does your work earn a profit?

5) It produces something.

Results are the score that measures what you did. Every meeting (or every life) ends with results. Some prove to be worth the effort spent achieving them. Others do not.

Results answer the fundamental question: What did you accomplish?

The quality of one’s results depend upon the choices that were made through the entire event, from its preparation to its conduct to its closure.

When people start with a vision, set goals, define a purpose, and then work toward their vision, they accomplish something significant.

Consider: How do the results that you obtain compare with you want?

PS: I have wonderful workshops on Effective Meetings and Life Management that show you how to make the best of both.

Much success,

Steve Kaye
714-528-1300