A meeting of leaders is not the same thing as a leadership meeting.
Here are tell-tale signs you may be in a meeting where leadership is not happening:
- Decisions are routinely delayed.
- Action items, disguised as decisions, create the illusion of productivity. (“We agree that we’ll gather more data.” Or “We’ll meet next month to continue the discussion.”)
- Participants make decisions through two lenses: How can I appear to be creating value for the customer while also gaining more control, influence or stature?
- Less than one-half of the group is participating.
- Those who are speaking are withholding essential information that may jeopardize their standing on the team.
- There is a focus on lagging indicators instead of leading causes. (“Let’s review the numbers…” instead of “What can we do differently to create different numbers?”)
When you’re in a meeting where the above dynamics are occurring, it may be tempting to blame others. That is a good time to remember you’re also in the meeting.
In addition to the opposite of the dynamics listed above, here are signs you’re in a leadership meeting:
- Clarity of vision and strategy are enhanced.
- Consistent efforts are made to ensure deep alignment to imperatives or priorities.
- Participants become energized around a shared reality.
- Steps are made to empower decision making at the edge of the enterprise.
- The customer is centric to discussions.
- Diversity and inclusion, including members of Gen Z, are constant.
Just because people with leadership titles gather for a discussion doesn’t mean a leadership meeting is occurring.
What type of meetings do you attend?