Break some patterns.

When you next plan an all-staff meeting, a conference, workshop, strategy session or meeting ... break some patterns.

The way it’s being done is dull. Starting at 9am; morning tea at 10.30am. Dull side decks from leaders trying to get ‘alignment’ and ‘buy-in’.

It’s too much presentation, not enough conversation; all monologue, not enough dialogue.

Darkened theatres and vanilla communications. We are done with it.

Open the blinds! Ask some questions. Break the routines and expectations that you think are the ‘right way’ to do things.

The people you serve - not the ‘resources’ or ‘numbers’ or ‘head count’ - the people will thank you for it. 

The Importance of the Start

'Begin as you intend to continue', or 'start as you mean to go on', are maxims or sayings that I've often heard.

There's such a great application of this when you start a project, piece of work, a meeting, workshop or strategy session with a team. 

I cringe when people kick off an inspiring team day or a high value strategic session with this: "So just some housekeeping... the toilets are over there, the wifi password is there and ... blah blah blah"

Think of how a movie starts. It's usually some scene setting for the whole story or a dramatic exchange that sets up the 'why' of the film. 

The same goes at work. How you start something sets the scene. It says so much about what is to come. 

Starting with housekeeping ain't inspiring. Yes it needs to be said, but not in the first few seconds or minutes. 

Bring some drama, impact, presence and creativity to the scene. Set the scene. Do something that makes sense for people, that inspires them to think 'WOW I'm glad I'm here... this is gonna be good.'

The start is your opportunity to deliver impact and most importantly, to FRAME what this is about, why we're all here and what's going to happen. 

Check out any athlete - swimmers, cyclists and runners are perfect examples - and you'll see how much effort they put in to the starting part of their event. Without a brilliant start, they've got to work too hard to claw it back. It's near on impossible to regain the lost time, momentum and to 'catch' those who've lept ahead. 

Start. Strong, clear, bold and audacious. 

Then continue with that momentum and it will be a great meeting, workshop, strategy, conversation and event.