A Missed Opportunity

Bring to mind the last meeting you went to. How did it begin?

I don't know about you, but most of the meetings I attend start with something like, "Here's the agenda for this meeting..." quickly followed by carrying out the agenda items.

There is nothing wrong with the agenda or following it. I like knowing the agenda. 

But there is a lost opportunity here.

Recently, I went to an Ecstatic Dance event.  My mind was full of the past week's events.  My agenda for the evening was to release stress and have some fun dancing to the music, as I suspect was the agenda for most there...

Before we got underway, though, the facilitator brought us into a circle.  She took a few minutes to set an intention for our time together and invited us to find our own intention within that container.  We had a few minutes to ponder what we needed and share before we began to dance.

As I danced with my intention, there was a greater awareness and playful focus in the movement.  There was a purpose in my step far deeper than stress relief (although that was achieved too!). I was fully engaged in the dancing. I put all my effort into it and so did everyone around me which created an amazing experience for us all. 

And it wasn't just because it was dance.  It was because the intention helped craft the container for safe, clear, purposeful engagement.

So often I hear leaders frustrated at a lack of engagement from their teams. Teams are just made up of people who want to dance, who want to put their heart into something they feel has a bigger purpose, helps them grow, and makes them feel needed.  

→ How are you setting up the experience to inspire more from them?
→ How are you guiding them in the process of self-reflection and motivation?
→ How are you letting them know regularly that they matter and are they are truly needed?

Starting with intention can set up the experience to inspire more.  It is a self-reflective process that invites everyone to find their own intrinsic motivation.  It is a way of showing them that you care and you need them to be in this thing with you!

Now, before you run away saying that's too woo woo, just imagine it with me.  What if the Leader of the last meeting you attended said something like:

→  It is my intention that everyone be heard and understood before questioned or disagreed with. What intention do you have for yourself so that we can achieve that together?

Or

→ t is my intention that we really let ourselves brainstorm some solutions here without getting in the weeds of logistics. What intention do each of you need to set to help you to be more freely creative?

Or

→ It is my intention that we all actively participate in this discussion. What intention do you need to set for yourself to help you be an active participant?

Let's be honest, when we are leading a meeting, we hope to get something out of it.  Being clear with yourself helps you to get what you need.  Saying it out loud allows everyone be on the same page so they can find their own inspired way of participating.

For these reasons and more, intention setting belongs in every kind of meeting in every kind of workplace.

Creative Challenge: What intention would you set as a leader?  OR how might you lead yourself in setting an intention?  

→ Let me know in the comments below!