Here are three lessons about meetings that came from a walk through the forest.
1) Giant Sequoias
These marvelous trees are a living example that some things take time.
True, we need to work with a sense of urgency. We need to do more with less. We need to move faster than the speed of chaos.
And we also need to be appropriate.
Rushing through some issues can produce false solutions.
For example, a group slams together an annual plan, only to find that the plan ignores real market conditions, organizational limitations, and individual support. The result is a document that no one uses.
For example, a powerful group makes a decision without listening to other people’s ideas. And then a bad situation becomes worse. In fact, sometimes the neglected side retaliates with such force that the original group loses status.
Better: Take time to make sure that all considerations are included in plans and decisions. If you are planning a meeting to resolve a major issues, hire a skilled facilitator to help you obtain a result that lasts.
2) A Bear Cub
This cub behaved like a goofy toddler while mama bear went about...