What if two smart people can't agree on something?

It's situations like this that remind us managing is closer to parenting than we want to admit. It's why we have managers and mothers, to get us through the parts of life where we lose sight of what's supposed to be happening. Kids fighting over a toy, teens fighting over who gets the car, and manager's debating over who's right while a meeting goes nowhere.

No matter how corporate, all organizational life is reduced to a very human level. Nothing is quite as constant as the people problems we have with meetings. Yesterday a group asked - what if two managers both feel strongly that they're the ones to make the final decision? What if two people both sincerely feel they have the right answer, but can't agree?

Here's how to look at that issue. As much as feelings are important, moving the company's purpose forward is more important. Of course if you've done your manager job correctly your people are also hyper emotionally engaged, so they disagree even more! Emotionally engaged people can sure get excited about any decisions effecting "their" company. Regardless, remind everyone about the larger purpose. Put things into context.

The next issue is more difficult. It's the idea of compromising an ideal solution for one that is acceptable to both people. Consensus. We may disagree on many things, but we can agree on one issue.

Perfection also masks inaction. Sometimes going for the perfect answer covers up the fact that nothing is happening. Inaction is the result of perfection.

In group meetings many problems solve themselves once we remember what we all signed up for. We're not here to get things our way, or have a perfect answer, we are here to move the company's objectives forward. When we remember our original purpose, original question answers itself.

Tip: Put it into context, teach people the value of consensus and come to the seminar! On Thurs. Jun 14th my seminar is about holding effective meetings. Learn how to turn meetings into productive management tools! Join me, bring your team.

See you for breakfast,
Wolfgang

Reservations: 604-931-681. Or email us at info@managing.ca

p.s. Do you need a Meeting Makeover?
If your meetings are in trouble, if people don't attend or can't agree, I have 3-part meeting makeover solution. No meeting is too boring, too hated, too unpopular, or too abusive for me for me to turn around! When I save your company's business meetings I save your company. Please call me. Wolf 604-931-6813. Email wolf@managing.ca Thank you.