Creating Separation Between Back-to-Back Meetings
Making a smooth transition between back-to-back meetings is never easy. Turning off one set of thoughts and emotions before launching into another discussion is nearly impossible.
Leaders too often carry over their moods, feelings, and thinking from one meeting to the next. The ability to focus exclusively on the next meeting topic while still reeling from the last one makes leaders less effective than they should be.
Even a small separation between meetings can do a world of good to help with this problem. When the day requires back-to-back meetings, creating a 3- to 5-minute separation is a powerful practice. Longer periods are even better, but just about anyone can carve out 3-5 minutes.
It doesn’t matter so much what it is. The key is to engage in an activity for a very brief time that takes your complete attention. Being prepared for this opportunity is equally important.
Consider the idea of music to create this critical separation. Having music at the ready and then immersing yourself in that music for just a few moments gives your brain the chance it needs to switch gears.
Reading a favorite blog or newsletter, answering one email, taking a brisk walk, outlining an upcoming agenda, writing down ideas, and memorizing a special quotation are just a few activities leaders use to create separation.
Transitions between meetings are challenging enough without sprinting from one discussion to another. Team members deserve the best of you and all of your attention in the matters they want to discuss.
Leaving the last meeting behind is aided by a brief separation. Some tiny habits really are atomic. It only takes 3-5 minutes to reset your attention and give you a fresh view on what comes next. It may be the best investment in 3-5 minutes you can possibly make.
"Transitions", and it's expanded cousin inside the AL Platform, has forced me to take stock in my life. I used to complain and whine about things at work more often. I'd justify my behavior by telling myself and others my complaints weren't about me, they were about getting things done at work. I was lying. Creating a separation between events allows me to focus on what I need to get out of the next meeting. Leaving what has already occurred in the past allows me to give my full attention on the present situation and significantly reduces the temptation to gossip (i.e., you won't believe who I just got off the phone with and what they said). Another benefit seems to be that my communication has improved. I'm using less words, stories, and analogies. In the past, I'd often be told to 'land the plane.' I haven't heard that one in a while. However, I recently received feedback that I 'oversell' a decision or idea. I think these two things are related so I've got that to work on next. Thanks for today's post.
So important! The problem may be even worse with the rise of video meetings, which often pile up on calendar apps with little time for a break (although some apps do allow you to build in buffers). When I have back-to-back meetings, I sometimes forget what I said to whom. it's embarrassing!