Sheryl Sandberg, the former COO of Facebook (now Meta), once walked into a board meeting and said, “Hey, everybody, this meeting is really expensive, let’s get started.” It’s a powerful reminder that time is precious, and meetings should reflect that. In my opinion, the best way to start a team meeting is to walk in and say something like, “Hey, our time is really valuable. This meeting has the potential to be fantastic. Let’s get into it.”
In this blog, I’ll share what I believe is the number one variable that, if you’re hosting meetings or gatherings, you can control to improve the outcome. This is something I’ve learned through my work with some of the smartest leaders and educators in the world. Let’s get into it.
Connection Before Content: The Key to Starting a Meeting
The best way to start any meeting is by incorporating Connection Before Content. Here’s why: research conducted at Johns Hopkins University revealed that surgical teams were able to reduce medical errors by 36% and deaths by 50% with a simple intervention. What was it? Before starting a surgery, everyone involved in the procedure stood in a circle and introduced themselves, sharing their name, role, and any concerns they had for that specific surgery.
Though most of us aren’t working in an operating room, we’ve all been in meetings that felt like they were flatlining. How many times have you heard someone say, “That meeting could have been an email”? Too often, people walk out of meetings wondering why they were even there. Connection Before Content can help prevent that by making your meetings more purposeful.
The Connection Before Content Checklist
To implement Connection Before Content, here’s a simple checklist to follow:
- Connect People to Each Other
Start by helping people connect with one another as human beings. This is the step that’s often overlooked but critical in building rapport and engagement. - Connect to the Purpose
The most crucial part of any meeting is clearly articulating why everyone is there. A simple, powerful way to start any meeting is by asking a question that ties directly to the meeting’s purpose. For example, I worked with an energy company that needed to restart a gas pipeline. The meeting’s purpose was clear, so I started by asking the group: “Can everyone think back to the last pipeline restart meeting? What went well, and what didn’t?” This allows participants to reflect on past experiences and sets the stage for a productive discussion. - Invite Authenticity
Your prompt should give people the opportunity to share something true and meaningful to them. Whether it’s about their concerns or their knowledge, it’s important to make space for vulnerability and honesty.
Two Questions to Start a Meeting
If you’re looking for practical ways to start a meeting, here are two example questions that can be tailored to your purpose:
- “What is something you know about [meeting topic]?”
For example, if the meeting is about project management, ask, “What is something you know about managing deadlines?” This engages participants right away and ties them into the purpose of the meeting. - “What keeps you going when you’re stressed?”
This question works well with teams feeling overwhelmed or burnt out, providing a way to bring people back to the purpose of the meeting while acknowledging their current state.
By starting your meeting with a powerful question that ties into the purpose, you’ll engage participants, make them feel seen, heard, and valued, and set a positive tone for the rest of the meeting.
Conclusion
The best way to start a team meeting is through Connection Before Content. By connecting people to each other and to the purpose of the meeting, and allowing space for authenticity, you’ll not only engage your team but also make your meetings more efficient and purposeful. Remember, a great meeting begins with asking the right questions and setting the right tone. If you found this approach helpful, consider joining the Connectors Summit this December. I’ll be diving much deeper into how to host more effective meetings and create meaningful connections in your organization. If this blog resonated with you, I guarantee you’ll love the summit.
I’m Chad Littlefield. There are 500 other videos like this with really useful stuff. Consider subscribing. Have an awesome day!