So often in meetings we claim that we want to hear from folks but actually communicate that we’d like them to stay quiet.
Open-ended questions, silences that last more than five seconds, smiling – people respond to those.
“Anything else?” That provokes silence.
Enjoyed this?
A new post most Tuesdays. Free, and no spam, ever.
Keep reading
I’m Sasha Dichter. I’ve written this blog since 2008, about generosity, fundraising, leadership and the long, slow work of pursuing mastery. By day I run 60 Decibels. More about me · Browse by topic
Sasha, I agree that “Anything else?” has the effect you describe. Yet I find that a slight mod—”What else?” plus shutting my mouth—works.
And I’m chuckling because “Anything else?” is the cue I wait for. To me it signals that I can bring up concerns even if they’re on a new topic. I usually reply, “I was hoping we could talk about….” which usually starts a new meeting that I didn’t have to schedule, interrupt my tasks for, and for which people have to speak candidly not having had a chance to prepare too much. We can always schedule a second meeting if more data is necessary, but I never miss a chance to leap at the question, “Anything else?”
Leave a Reply