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A goal is only as good as its results, and the only way to see your progress is to measure. In this episode, we walk through the final phase of the MeetingMakers Framework: Performing and Learning. The agenda includes activities for developing measures and metrics to identify progress that are feasible to track and realistic to achieve.  Read along with the episode on YouTube. EPISODE RESOURCES Measuring Performance Workshop SessionLab Measuring Performance Template Package Support the show 📬 Get our updates https://makemeetings.work/podcast/#updates 🔗 Follow Us on LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/meetingmakers 👥 Join the MeetingMakers Circle Community https://meetingmakers.circle.so Written and hosted by Lauren Green Edited and produced by Caitlin Murray

When teams have a clear goal and aligned, actionable steps, it’s easy to make their vision a reality. In this episode, we walk through the fifth phase of the MeetingMakers Framework: Mapping, which includes goal-setting and action-planning activities. This agenda takes your team through the process step by step and leaves you with a set of actionable tasks ready to be plugged into your project management system. Read along with the episode on YouTube. EPISODE RESOURCES Goal Setting and Action Planning Workshop SessionLab Goal Setting and Action Planning Template Package 🔎 Explore the MeetingMakers Framework Support the show 📬 Get our updates https://makemeetings.work/podcast/#updates 🔗 Follow Us on LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/meetingmakers 👥 Join the MeetingMakers Circle Community https://meetingmakers.circle.so Written and hosted by Lauren Green Edited and produced by Caitlin Murray

A clear mission and time-bound vision enable organizations to work productively and efficiently. This episode breaks down the fourth phase of the MeetingMakers Framework: Visioning, with an agenda for collaboratively crafting clear and motivating mission and vision statements. Read along with the episode on YouTube. EPISODE RESOURCES Mission and Vision Workshop SessionLab Mission and Vision Workshop Template Package Visual Explorer deck from the Center for Creative Leadership 🔎 Explore the MeetingMakers Framework Support the show 📬 Get our updates https://makemeetings.work/podcast/#updates 🔗 Follow Us on LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/meetingmakers 👥 Join the MeetingMakers Circle Community https://meetingmakers.circle.so Written and hosted by Lauren Green Edited and produced by Caitlin Murray

If your team struggles to see results in new initiatives or strategic plans, it’s time to consider how these fit into the work you do already. In this episode, we walk through the fourth/final part of the third phase in our MeetingMakers Framework: Aligning, focused on process, and give you a simple process for reflecting on and improving your processes as a team. Read along with the episode on YouTube. EPISODE RESOURCES: Process Mapping SessionLab Agenda Process Mapping Template Package About LEGO SERIOUS PLAY Find a LEGO SERIOUS PLAY facilitator LEGO SERIOUS PLAY Training from SERIOUSWORK Business Model Canvas Template Osterwalder and Pigneur's Business Model Generation (book) Business Model Canvas Training Create a Customer Journey Map on Canva Tom Wujec’s Draw Toast TED Talk 🔎 Explore the MeetingMakers Framework Support the show 📬 Get our updates https://makemeetings.work/podcast/#updates 🔗 Follow Us on LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/meetingmakers 👥 Join the MeetingMakers Circle Community https://meetingmakers.circle.so Written and hosted by Lauren Green Edited and produced by Caitlin Murray

For any team, the customer or user is central to everything you do. Understanding who your team supports at a deep level is critical to ensuring that what your team does achieves real success. In this episode, we walk through part three of the third phase in our MeetingMakers Framework: Aligning, focused on customers. We discuss the importance of centralizing customers in strategic conversations, delivering value, and meeting their needs.  Read along with the episode on YouTube. EPISODE RESOURCES: Design Sprint SessionLab Agenda Design Sprint Template Package The LUMA System IDEO Thinking Stanford d.school Tools Eric Ries’ The Lean Startup (book) 🔎 Explore the MeetingMakers Framework Support the show 📬 Get our updates https://makemeetings.work/podcast/#updates 🔗 Follow Us on LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/meetingmakers 👥 Join the MeetingMakers Circle Community https://meetingmakers.circle.so Written and hosted by Lauren Green Edited and produced by Caitlin Murray

Jumping into goal-setting without a clear understanding of the present sets the stage for misalignment and missed opportunities. In this episode, we’ll walk you through part two of the third phase in our MeetingMakers Framework: Aligning, focused on the present. We discuss the importance of aligning on internal and external realities to set a foundation for effective strategic planning and achieving your goals. Read along with the episode on YouTube. EPISODE RESOURCES: SLOR Analysis SessionLab Agenda SLOR Analysis Template Package Context Map Template from The Grove Pre-meeting Survey Template 🔎 Explore the MeetingMakers Framework Support the show 📬 Get our updates https://makemeetings.work/podcast/#updates 🔗 Follow Us on LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/meetingmakers 👥 Join the MeetingMakers Circle Community https://meetingmakers.circle.so Written and hosted by Lauren Green Edited and produced by Caitlin Murray

When teams design a path forward, reflection on the past is a critical step that is often missed. In this episode of This Meeting Sucks, we’re going to walk you through part one of the third phase in our MeetingMakers Framework: Aligning, focused on the past. We’ll discuss the importance of looking back before moving forward and take you through our History Map agenda template.  Read along with the episode on YouTube. EPISODE RESOURCES: History Map SessionLab Agenda History Map Template Package TMS S2E10: Debrief Meetings (podcast episode) Rick Maurer's Beyond the Wall of Resistance (book) CFO Bookshelf: Beyond the Wall of Resistance with Rick Maurer (podcast episode) Graphic History Template from The Grove  🔎 Explore the MeetingMakers Framework Support the show 📬 Get our updates https://makemeetings.work/podcast/#updates 🔗 Follow Us on LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/meetingmakers 👥 Join the MeetingMakers Circle Community https://meetingmakers.circle.so Written and hosted by Lauren Green Edited and produced by Caitlin Murray

Trust is the foundation of a healthy team, and without it, teams lack the tools for constructive conflict, commitment to goals, mutual accountability, and major results. In this episode of This Meeting Sucks, we’re going to walk you through the second phase in our MeetingMakers Framework: Building Trust. Trust doesn’t just happen. Like any relationship, you have to cultivate trust—a trusting team is one that thrives in the face of an obstacle. Read along with the episode on YouTube. EPISODE RESOURCES: Work Styles and Team Profile SessionLab Agenda Work Styles and Team Profile Template Package Jan Keck’s Icemelters (book)  Help Your Meetings Work I—Verbal Tools (S3E4) Our blogs on energizers 🔎 Explore the MeetingMakers Framework Support the show 📬 Get our updates https://makemeetings.work/podcast/#updates 🔗 Follow Us on LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/meetingmakers 👥 Join the MeetingMakers Circle Community https://meetingmakers.circle.so Written and hosted by Lauren Green Edited and produced by Caitlin Murray

Whether you're a new team working together, an existing team looking for a reset or just unsure about where a project is headed, it's important to get everyone on the same page. In this episode, we’re going to walk you through the first phase in our MeetingMakers Framework: Initiating, which includes Project Kick-Offs and Team Charters. With these meetings, you can lay the groundwork for success, ensuring everyone is on the same page and ready to tackle whatever comes their way. Read along with the episode on YouTube. EPISODE RESOURCES: Project Kick-off and Team Charter SessionLab Agenda Project Kick-off and Team Charter Template Package Meeting Cadance Quiz 🔎 Explore the MeetingMakers Framework Support the show 📬 Get our updates https://makemeetings.work/podcast/#updates 🔗 Follow Us on LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/meetingmakers 👥 Join the MeetingMakers Circle Community https://meetingmakers.circle.so Written and hosted by Lauren Green Edited and produced by Caitlin Murray

Welcome to Season 4, MeetingMakers! This season is all about high-performing teams and how you can build your way to high performance through meetings. We’ve codified a suite of agendas and companion templates you can modify and use with your team. This episode introduces you to the MeetingMakers Framework and walks you through the coming season. Read along with the episode on YouTube. EPISODE RESOURCES: TMS Season 1: Just-in-Time Meeting Skills QUIZ: Where is my team? Katzenbach and Smith's The Wisdom of Teams (book) Chris McGoff's The Primes (book) 🔎 Explore the MeetingMakers Framework Support the show 📬 Get our updates https://makemeetings.work/podcast/#updates 🔗 Follow Us on LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/meetingmakers 👥 Join the MeetingMakers Circle Community https://meetingmakers.circle.so Written and hosted by Lauren Green Edited and produced by Caitlin Murray

No matter your skill at leading meetings, there are some occasions when hiring a facilitator is in your best interest. This episode goes over considerations to help you recognize when it’s time to bring in a third-party facilitator and gives you a guide of questions to consider when searching for the right person to lead your meeting. 👉 Download the visual summary notes for this episode. EPISODE RESOURCES: Smart Choices: A Practical Guide to Making Better Decisions (book) Judgment Under Uncertainty: Heuristics and Biases (book) Decision Traps: The Ten Barriers to Decision-Making and How to Overcome Them (book) MAFN Find-A-Facilitator (database) As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.  Support the show 📬 Get our updates https://makemeetings.work/podcast/#updates 🔗 Follow Us on LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/meetingmakers 👥 Join the MeetingMakers Circle Community https://meetingmakers.circle.so Written and hosted by Lauren Green Edited and produced by Caitlin Murray

Organization leaders and meeting sponsors carry a large influence on the meetings they attend, and how they show up can affect the group as a whole and the success of a session. This episode provides guidance for what leaders should be doing before, during, and after a meeting to help achieve outcomes and harness the wisdom of their team. 👉 Download the visual summary notes for this episode. EPISODE RESOURCES: Season 1: Just-in-Time Meeting Skills (podcast) MeetingMakers Academy (webpage) S1E4: Outline Your Meeting (podcast episode) S2E9: Make It a Meeting, Not a Lecture (podcast episode) S3E5: Help Your Meetings Work I—Verbal Tools (podcast episode) Non-Violent Communication: A Language of Life by Marshall B. Rosenberg PhD (*book) As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.  Support the show 📬 Get our updates https://makemeetings.work/podcast/#updates 🔗 Follow Us on LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/meetingmakers 👥 Join the MeetingMakers Circle Community https://meetingmakers.circle.so Written and hosted by Lauren Green Edited and produced by Caitlin Murray

Whether your team needs help remembering information or navigating the complexities of virtual meetings, you can take on a meeting support role to level up the effectiveness of your team’s meeting. In this episode, Lauren breaks down the need for meeting notes and tips for taking them effectively, and guest Heather Martinez discusses the rold of tech host. 👉 Download the visual summary notes for this episode. EPISODE RESOURCES: Understanding Visual Notetaking (video) Dancing with Markers (website) Start Taking Visual Notes (resource) Let’s Letter Together (website) Tech Host Academy (online course) How to E3 Your Online Meetings (video) Top 5 Vitals for Being a Successful Tech Host (video and blog) Heather Leavitt Martinez is a practical mix of supporting others and modeling the way. Rooted in Appreciative Inquiry (AI), everything Heather does from training and facilitation to tech hosting is based in AI. She is a visual practitioner by trade, but quickly turned virtual facilitator at the start of the pandemic and brought many along with her. Heather is the director of Tech Host Academy, senior product manager at Kadabra, and is currently working with the Center of Appreciative Inquiry to deliver her work as a visual facilitator and tech host.  Support the show 📬 Get our updates https://makemeetings.work/podcast/#updates 🔗 Follow Us on LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/meetingmakers 👥 Join the MeetingMakers Circle Community https://meetingmakers.circle.so Written and hosted by Lauren Green Edited and produced by Caitlin Murray

Sometimes, the best way to deal with conflict, is to stop and listen. In this episode, we’ll reframe our understanding of conflict and explore practical strategies for managing it effectively, whether you're the facilitator or a participant. 👉 Download the visual summary notes for this episode. EPISODE RESOURCES: Book Notes: Don't Just Do Something, Stand There (blog) Don't Just Do Something, Stand There!: Ten Principles for Leading Meetings That Matter by Marvin Weisbord and Sandra Janoff (book) The Worry Trick: How Your Brain Tricks You into Expecting the Worst and What You Can Do About It by David A. Carbonell PhD (book) TMS S1E4: Outline Your Meeting (podcast episode) As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.  Support the show 📬 Get our updates https://makemeetings.work/podcast/#updates 🔗 Follow Us on LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/meetingmakers 👥 Join the MeetingMakers Circle Community https://meetingmakers.circle.so Written and hosted by Lauren Green Edited and produced by Caitlin Murray

By identifying patterns in the conversation of your meeting, you can take action to keep things balanced and productive. In this episode, we go over the Kantor model, a tool you can use to track conversations and gain insight into group dynamics. 👉 Download the visual summary notes for this episode. EPISODE RESOURCES: Reading the Room - Channeling the Power of Group Dynamics (video by Brian Tarallo) CLIP: Apollo 13—"Failure is not an option"  Support the show 📬 Get our updates https://makemeetings.work/podcast/#updates 🔗 Follow Us on LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/meetingmakers 👥 Join the MeetingMakers Circle Community https://meetingmakers.circle.so Written and hosted by Lauren Green Edited and produced by Caitlin Murray