Meetings that Matter: Transforming the Tedious to the Inspiring

As we near the end of our week-long exploration of my top six Patrick Lencioni books for city managers, we turn to a challenge that resonates with every public servant: meetings. In “Death by Meeting,” Lencioni offers a provocative and practical approach to transform meetings from energy-sapping obligations into dynamic, inspiring sessions. While his focus wasn’t specifically on government, the principles are remarkably applicable to the unique meeting ecosystem of city management, where we have the opportunity to turn tedious gatherings into catalysts for civic innovation and progress.

The Meeting Problem in City Government

In city management, meetings are not just internal affairs. They range from staff gatherings to public council sessions, from stakeholder consultations to inter-departmental collaborations. Each type comes with its own set of challenges:

1. Lack of engagement and conflict
2. Mixing strategic and tactical discussions
3. Insufficient preparation and follow-through
4. Balancing transparency with efficiency in public meetings

Lencioni’s Meeting Solution: A City Hall Adaptation

Lencioni proposes a meeting structure that, with some adaptation, can revolutionize how city governments conduct business. Let’s explore his four meeting types and how they apply to city management:

1. The Daily Check-in (5-10 minutes)

City Management Application: Start each day with a quick stand-up meeting with your direct reports.

Purpose: Share daily schedules, highlight pressing issues.

Action Step: Implement a daily 9 AM check-in with department heads. Keep it brief and focused on coordinating the day’s priorities.

2. The Weekly Tactical (45-90 minutes)

City Management Application: Hold a weekly meeting focused on short-term issues and metrics.

Purpose: Review key performance indicators, resolve tactical obstacles.

Action Step: Establish a weekly “City Pulse” meeting. Review departmental metrics, discuss short-term challenges, and align on weekly goals.

3. The Monthly Strategic (2-4 hours)

City Management Application: Dedicate time monthly for deep dives into critical issues.

Purpose: Discuss, analyze, and decide on one or two crucial topics.

Action Step: Schedule a monthly “City Vision” meeting. Focus on one strategic issue (e.g., downtown revitalization, budget planning) and engage in thorough, single-topic discussions.

4. The Quarterly Off-site Review (1-2 days)

City Management Application: Step back quarterly to review strategy and team dynamics.

Purpose: Revisit strategy, competitive landscape, team performance, and industry trends.

Action Step: Organize a quarterly “City Horizon” retreat. Review long-term goals, assess progress on the city’s strategic plan, and realign department efforts.

Making Public Meetings More Effective

While Lencioni’s model focuses on internal meetings, we can apply principles to improve public meetings too:

1. Clear Agenda Setting: Categorize agenda items as informational, discussion, or action items.
2. Time Boxing: Allocate specific time slots for each agenda item and stick to them.
3. Encourage Productive Conflict: Foster respectful debate to ensure all perspectives are heard.
4. Public Comment Strategy: Structure public comment sessions effectively, perhaps using written submissions or time limits to balance public input with meeting efficiency.

Overcoming City-Specific Meeting Challenges

1. Transparency Requirements: Use technology to stream meetings or provide detailed minutes for sessions that don’t require public attendance.
2. Political Dynamics: Establish ground rules that encourage focusing on issues rather than personalities.
3. Diverse Stakeholders: Develop strategies to engage various community groups effectively, perhaps through targeted focus groups or committees.
4. Long-Term Project Oversight: Create a separate meeting structure for ongoing, long-term projects to ensure they receive adequate attention without dominating regular meetings.

Implementation Strategies

1. Start Small: Begin with reforming your internal leadership team meetings before tackling larger, public meetings.
2. Educate and Train: Provide training for staff and council members on the new meeting structures and their purposes.
3. Gather Feedback: Regularly assess the effectiveness of your new meeting structure and be willing to adjust.
4. Lead by Example: Model the behavior you want to see in meetings, including punctuality, preparation, and active participation.

Conclusion: From Tedious Obligations to Inspiring Collaborations

By adapting Lencioni’s meeting strategies to the unique needs of city government, you can transform your meetings from dreaded time-wasters to dynamic engines of progress and inspiration. Effective meetings can lead to better decision-making, improved team cohesion, and ultimately, better service to your community.

Remember, the goal isn’t to eliminate meetings but to make them purposeful, engaging, and truly inspiring. As you implement these changes, you’re not just improving administrative efficiency – you’re fostering a culture of collaboration, transparency, and effective governance that can energize your entire organization.

Reflect on your current meeting structure: Which type of meeting do you need more of? Less of? What’s one change you can implement next week to start this transformation from tedious to inspiring?

Your leadership in reforming meetings can set the tone for a more efficient, effective, and inspired city government. It’s time to bring meetings back to life in city hall and make every gathering an opportunity for meaningful progress!

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Seth Winterhalter is President of HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions, dedicated to making stronger cities through stronger leaders. Through executive coaching, consulting, and the Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC), HaltingWinter helps city managers and municipal leaders transform their leadership impact and their organizational culture.