‘Does that make sense?’

We ask this question when we’re thinking, talking, meeting, training, and presenting. 

It’s to check with ourselves - am I making sense to myself? 

And then ... am I making sense to you? 

It’s kind of asking, ‘Do you get it?’

We use the phrase ‘making sense' habitually and unconsciously. It’s a human thing. 

We develop our natural Sensemaking abilities as we learn and grow up. 

But given the changing and uncertain world we live in, being able to build and accelerate our Sensemaking capabilities means we can get to decisions sooner. 

And then take action sooner, despite the uncertainty. 

When you hesitate and procrastinated it could be because things aren’t making sense. We may keep plodding along waiting until they do. 

But if we use some Sensemaking tools and techniques, we can move on from indecision and hesitation... to action. 

It’s quite empowering and momentum building! 

Listen out for ‘does that make sense?’ It’s a sign we are most certainly in Sensemaking mode for ourselves ... and others. 

Why aren’t our meetings more creative

We’re not to blame! Our meeting cultures date back decades, even centuries to how parliaments and governments functioned. 

These old systems run deep and aren’t quick or easy to change when they’re passed on via generations, leaders and cultures. 

It’s a risk to change or suggest something needs to change. Instead we endure, tolerate and bemoan boring, inefficient and ineffective meetings ...online or otherwise. 

Why else? 

- Some people believe work is serious and creativity isn’t serious enough. 

- For others it’s easier to do what they’ve always done and play it straight.  

- Change can be difficult to make working in dominant and powerful structures and systems. 

- We may not want to stand out, mess up, look foolish or be criticized for trying more creativity. 

- We may not think we’re creative enough. 

- And we can wonder ... is it even possible to be creative in a meeting? 


There are many activities and ways of working in meetings that are clever, help us think better and make easier progress. 

These are creative ... and they’re effective and productive too! 

Why it’s worth being a little more creative in meetings

You don’t have to go way out there creative. Just a little can make a difference. 


🔶 For participants 

Are they participants - they’ll be doing, contributing and participating? Or are they attendees, an audience of spectators just watching and listening?

Creativity brings focus, stimulation to keep interest high and helps hold attention. 

Creativity makes memories. If you’re dealing with dry or complex matters, creativity anchors the key points. 

It brings content to life!


🔶 For you 

Creativity helps you stay interested. If it’s good for you, it’s likely to be good for them too. 

Moods and energy are infectious. If you’re not feelin’ it, they won’t be!

Creativity helps keep content fresh if it’s repetitive or the same topic as the last meeting. 

Variety alerts us. 


Many meetings are experiences of monotonous boredom. They benefit from injections of creativity. 

You don’t have to go for crazy creativity. A subtle or clever activity can build engagement, make swifter progress and help reach better outcomes. 

Are you using creativity in meetings?

Creative activities for online meetings

We often hear the tappity-tap of people working on emails while they’re online in a meeting.

It’s not their fault. 

They’re BORED!

They’ve had four of these boring meetings today. And you're dragging them through another one? YAWN!

We must make things more relevant, more creative - and it will most certainly be more effective.

If you’re inviting people to an online meeting to work, plan, contribute or decide, be sure you have a range of inspiring activities on hand. 

Giving people a question and putting them in breakout rooms is done - overdone! And it's just ONE activity. 

There are MANY OTHER WAYS to add connection, relevance and creativity to online meetings.

And it need not be ‘crazy creativity’ but relevant, smart and brilliant creativity!

I’ve spent years creating activities for meetings. And I’ve adapted, edited and morphed existing activities to make them more interesting ... and they work online too. 

Too much ‘listen only’ mode

Whether the online meeting software automatically tells you or not, too often we are put in ‘listen only mode’ in online meetings and workshops. 

And some of the reasons (excuses?) why there isn’t greater interaction : 
* too many people
* not enough time
* too much content
* the pressure of a deadline 

... and other explanations for why we’re keeping people quiet while meeting online. 

While many face-to-face meetings were poorly run, our online meetings are now just as bad. 

Better facilitation skills are needed by most leaders today, and more-so in this online environment. 

Better facilitation skills are about 
- The preparation 
- The design
- The delivery 
of the meeting or workshop. 

We have to do things a little differently and we must allow more time and space for people to contribute.

Listen only mode? 
That’s not how better work gets done these days.