Reinventing Meetings, Really

The real problem with meetings

That's the problem with meetings. You know. Not that Meetings are too competitive. Not that we are too competitive with each other, even though we each might rather desperately want the other's very job.

The problem is that we're not having fun together.

Business meetings are mostly not fun. Meetings are mostly boring, frustrating, costly. Already too costly on every scale of cost you can name: costing money, time, health, self-esteem.

We actually can't make meetings better. No matter what we do. No matter how much we spend.

It's too late.

We have to reinvent the whole meeting thing, the bathwater and the baby, the kit and kaboodle, and invent something else entirely. Something like a meeting. Something like a game. Something new and different that will allow us to be the same to each other.

Something that we make up together.

Anti-Meeting Systems

Excuse me. Even though I've been spending the last twelve years devising Computer-Enhanced Meeting Systems, I have to admit that I really don't like them. Any of them. Even the completely integrated, techno-socio methodologically thorough intra/internetted collaborative communication system. Especially the completely integrated, techno-socio methodologically thorough intra/internetted collaborative communication system.

I distrust any Compleat Meating System.

And yes, I mean Compleat. And yes, Meating. "Meating" as in "to meet in the flesh," as a subset of "meeting" which can also be performed "in a flash" on the phone, via e-mail, via fax, through the Internet.

And yes, I really mean meet, meet all the way, as unique individuals engaging our unique strengths in the pursuit of mutual interests, mutual benefits, mutual success.

Every time we find ourselves trying to work together as a team in a competitive organization, we are on a ride in an elevator that is demonstrably unreliable. To get where we hope to go, we each and all have to decide exactly what buttons get pushed and who gets to push them.

As technology invents more elevator buttons, the global economy adds more stories. Our unreliable elevator climbs and climbs until it becomes clear that none of us will survive the fall. If we plan to get off together we have to rely on each other and not on the rules of the ride.

We have to be ready to meet in a whole different way. To meet openly, to create agendas that can embrace all the items of moment.

The more refined and completely detailed the roles and rules and guidelines and processes of our Way of Meating, the more difficult it is to bring the elevator to a safe stop.

We can't rely on anything outside of ourselves. No system, no matter how rational and how thorough. We have to be able to make it the rule that any rule can be changed. Any role, guideline or decision-making system. For as long as we're on the elevator together.

No Meeting System can be complete. We HAVE to be able to change the game, to invent our own way of meeting, each time we meet. No, we don't have to change all the rules. We just have to be able to change any rule that keeps us apart. 

Meeting Magic

From: Tobin Quereau

Subject: Re: Meeting Magic

Dear Major FUN/Original Oaqui* Oane/Mr. Meetings/Former Curator of the Games Preserve

I'm not quite sure if this missive is going to you, to all, or to y'all, but since we are all Oane it doesn't really matter. If you deem it worthy, I would be delighted to have this message shared with others who are within reach of your keyboard and in need of new approaches to enhancing the quality and value of their meetings.

In response to your recent plea concerning meetings and the need to reinvent them, the immensity of the task can overwhelm any mere mortal just thinking about it. I would like to suggest a simple, concrete, do-able, behavioral response which can begin to transform the meeting environment with no skills needed on the part of the initiator other than some access to a little cash and a fairly secure sense of self. A willingness to laugh at oneself and with others is a help.

To whit, before your next meeting of a conventional sort, make the rounds of your local, trans-global, toys R cheap store or a suitable improvement thereon, and purchase enough of the following items for almost everyone to have access during the meeting:

1. Koosh balls in several attractive colors and varieties--the brighter the colors the better, include some regular Kooshes, some Softies, and, if you can find them, a Krink or two.

2. Some Squish balls, either full or mini-size, Squish Hots have the best color combinations.

3. A couple of Slinkys and/or Mini-slinkys (about 1 1/2 inches in diameter). If you find the Mini-slinkys get three or four. Avoid the plastic kind if are like me, they look OK, but the feel is lousy and that is what we are after here.

4. Several colors of Silly Putty--the heat-sensitive kind is best since it changes as you play with it. Do not settle for the generic brands, accept only the real thing, the limitation will be worth it in the long run.

Principles to follow in this experiment:

Remember to set out fewer than the number of participants expected at the meeting. It is important to allow those who are frightened by toys or play to seem generous and non-acquisitive rather than averse to the experience of tactile pleasure. The necessity on occasion to wait for a free toy also enhances the joy of snatching one from the table as it becomes available.

Do not make a big thing of it. Prepare for numerous side comments and an occasional challenge as participants deal with their anxiety in the face of potential enjoyment at a meeting.

Be sure to have your own favorite fun thing or two carefully placed where only you can get to it. Modeling desired behavior is important and there is no reason to do it with anything less than the item of choice.

Conduct the meeting as usual. In particular, avoid calling attention to anyone who is privately enjoying a moment of tactile pleasure as they think, respond, or imagine new perspectives and possibilities on the topic at hand (so to speak). It does not benefit anyone to feel embarrassed or singled out for comment. Those who are ready to will comment on their own regarding the value of the items.

Be sure to require participants to leave the items in the room when the meeting is over. You will find inevitably that some toys migrate to new surroundings in spite of your best security measures, but they will be taken care of in their new home anyway (and since the real intent is to initiate playful behaviors throughout the organization eventually some controlled smuggling is acceptable).

Be prepared to have your "meeting enhancement and enjoyment technology" (MEET) resources with you wherever you go in the future. You will find neophytes, enthusiasts and even cynical observers asking where they are if you appear without them. Accept all comments with equanimity, especially those which border on the satiric--remember, if they comment, they have been attracted...

Now for those who feel the need for some further theoretical, cognitive, or research support for this approach, I am happy to respond directly to questions or comments from you (or your boss) as necessary. I do have some written resources which could prove helpful for further study if desired.

The main thing is to start somewhere. The transformation begins with you and your willingness to make your workplace more enjoyable.

Regular reading of the messages from Major FUN are, of course, an excellent foundation for any progress in this endeavor.

And remember, it is as much fun to play with others as it is to play with yourself, so see what you can do to expand your network of playmates!

Your devoted disciple,

Tobin Quereau