10. In meetings, confusing topic with objective

ByLouis Vareille

Translated from the French original.

Romain Ntamack’s counter-attack from behind his own try line – France v All Blacks 2021. (©Icon Sport)

It’s precisely because the French team’s objective was to win against the All Blacks — not merely to play against them — that sports fans were treated to such a magnificent spectacle this weekend.

It’s remarkably common to see meeting agendas reduced to a list of topics:

  • training update,

  • budget situation,

  • sales to date,

  • new advertising campaign.

Or even, among the true champions, a list of topics that looks suspiciously like the list of the organisation’s departments

  • HR update,

  • finance update,

  • sales update,

  • marketing update.

These agendas illustrate the confusion that can exist between topic and objective.

When you call a meeting, take the time to phrase the agenda as results to be achieved:

  • sign-off on the 2022 training plan, for which you received the recommendation a week ago,

  • what remains to be done to hit the budget’s financial target,

  • agreement on the promotional plan to claw back the 2% sales shortfall from the first half,

  • adjustments to the advertising film based on the post-test results.

Of course, this will demand a little more brainpower than simply reciting the names of the various departments.

But it very significantly increases your chances of making good use of the time you’re planning to steal from the participants.

Do you go into meetings to play, or to win?
To talk about a topic, or to achieve an objective?

International School of Reuniology

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