What are we here for
Apparently, Mark Zuckerberg has to understand a question at the beginning of a meeting. He has to know if they are there for a decision or a discussion.
When I read this, I wondered how many times I’ve walked into a place with no idea of the expectation, and how many times I’ve caught hell for it.
Quick example
I once walked into a meeting with the new initiative’s board at a major company thinking that I had to discuss. I ended up embarrassing myself and my department. Nothing says fear like a senior vice president grilling an associate.
I wasted both my and their time.
Sounds simple, however, knowing that at the beginning of a meeting can change how you interpret and behave. Having people in the meeting acting in “decision” mode when it is a discussion can cause all sorts of discord and leave everyone in the meeting more confused than when they came in.
Imagine talking out loud about an idea and then being forced to defend it.
Rough.
Understand “what is this for” and make sure everyone is aligned.
No one wants to feel like a failure.
From the desk of Adam Thomas 