2. Take Away Learning To understand what distinguishes a good meeting from a dreaded one. To identify six tactical questions that will help school teams devise sound meeting agendas. To review alternate structures for conducting business and accomplishing our goals.

3. The hard truth is, bad meetings almost always lead to bad decisions, which is the best recipe for mediocrity. --Patrick Lencioni Death by Meeting

4. Why Do People Dread Meetings? Time or work doesn’t lead to any decisions. Participants arrive unprepared. Doesn’t start or end on time. Agenda isn’t followed. Other reasons?

5. Six Tactical Questions 1. What key decisions have to be made today? 2. What specific product or outcome should we have by the end of our time together? 3. Who has veto power over our decisions? 4. How much time will the group have/need? 5. What are the implications if we don’t accomplish the stated outcome? 6. What will each member be expected to contribute?

6. Building the Agenda Decide the topic or issue to be discussed.  Is it information only, discussion, or action? Identify who will lead the meeting. State the purpose/desired outcome. Set the timer. Tell team members what’s expected of them.

7. Staying in Bounds Establish a No Fly Zone  Non-purpose items that aren’t being addressed.  Issues or topics people may be tempted to talk about, but which won’t advance the meeting agenda.  Keeps group from wandering into territory that can’t be solved or controlled.

8. Sample Outcomes Purpose Statement  The purpose of today’s meeting is for the textbook committee to discuss the pros/cons of the 3 piloted texts and share what will be recommended to the district level committee. No Fly Zone Statement  The committee will not discuss supplemental materials that might also be purchased.  The committee will not debate the merit of textbooks not included in the pilot.

9. Rate the Ride Which term best depicts your team meetings? Flying Aces: Fast, efficient, enjoyable Mid-Air Refueling: Boosts our endurance Search and Rescue: New ideas explored, but rarely executed; topics tend to be broad and/or random Downward Spiral: Revisit same issues over and over Turbulence: Biting comments, blame, discourse Split Formation: A camp divided; hard to reach consensus With a Partner: Talk about what’s working, what’s missing, and what might make for a better ride.

10. Breaking Formation Daily Stand Up One Problem Wonder Learning Launch Think Tank Blog-orama Staff Retreat With Your Team: Review the Advance Organizer to learn about alternative ways to conduct business. Agree on one new approach to use in the upcoming month.

11. The Last Word… If we’re expected to leave isolation behind, we must develop new skills to work together more effectively and efficiently. The days of suffering in silence are over.