One of the more important leadership actions today is realizing The Power of Convening.  Think about it?!  Meetings are often the least desired employment activity…no matter the occupation.  Whether it is the time required, the travel to and from, the topics to be discussed and/or the personalities in the room (or online), positioning oneself to obtain the greatest value from every meeting situation often gets lost in the importance of properly convening.

The goal of this week’s TRIPLE III TIME message is to encourage leaders/managers to take active responsibility for meeting prep and facilitation by embracing The Power of Convening.  And just for old times sake…lets use a common sense TOP 10 that may help everyone maximize The Power of Convening.

Here we go:

1. Step up and volunteer to host the meeting… (location… location… location!)
2. Exercise the convening opportunity to think about who to best be in the room.
3. Avoid the potential of having a “stacked deck” of participants who would control the meeting.
4. Be the author of the agenda.
5. Identify an independent note/record keeper.
6. Stress the time limitations in every communication.
7. Highlight priorities for the group… not individuals.
8. As convener… take responsibility for timing future meetings/addressing future        topics.
9. Manage the clock… start on time and end on time.
10. Share the convener role… ONLY if it makes progress sense.

The Power of Convening is not a professional role to take lightly.  It is excellent when people trust, respect and appreciate someone who excels in this area of responsibility.

So are you ready to be a good… GREAT Convener?!