Set the time keeper role or bad cop
Set the time keeper role or bad cop
Free Facilitation Course: Simple tips for less terrible meetings
1. Setup roles and rules so that it feels like a game
1. Setup roles and rules so that it feels like a game
2. Define a time limit per topic to ensure you end up on time
2. Define a time limit per topic to ensure you end up on time
3. Use sticky notes to show where the discussion is
3. Use sticky notes to show where the discussion is
4. Create a parking space for new ideas and off topic elements
4. Create a parking space for new ideas and off topic elements
5. Use votes to not talk for hours about what's already obvious
5. Use votes to not talk for hours about what's already obvious
6. Make people work in smaller groups and then share the summary
6. Make people work in smaller groups and then share the summary
7. Separate the mindsets to make it less confusing
7. Separate the mindsets to make it less confusing
What you learned and how to make it stick
What you learned and how to make it stick
In every meeting there should be a bad cop.
That's the person who has a timer and let's everybody know that we already used half the time we allocated for that topic. That's the person who says: "Hey people, we have three minutes left for this topic, so let's summarize!" That's the person who says: "So, last minute: here is the summary, and sorry Bob, that detail doesn't matter for now, we'll discuss that at another time".
Being the time keeper can be a bit hard. So if it's the first time you do it, put a timer on your laptop. By doing so everybody can see that there isn't so much time after all. And if you are a bit shy, you can just point to the timer as a polite reminder.