How are a Thanksgiving dinner and a business meeting similar?
Here is something to think about while you are having dinner on Thanksgiving Day.
Someone at the gathering:
- Will arrive really late.
- Brings nothing to the table. They just show up, eat drink and leave.
- Will make an awkward comment that silences the room.
- Will fall asleep.
- Will be on their mobile device the entire time.
- Will rehash the same things over again, without coming up with any solutions.
- Will worry about what is on another’s persons plate instead of what is on theirs.
- Monopolizes the conversation. This could be someone who is older or considers themselves wiser. They give their unsolicited opinion or corrections after someone else’s contribution.
- Shows up late and then wants to know everything that was discussed.
Sound familiar? Here are a few more:
- There will be a heated discussion between a few people at the table that causes the others to feel uncomfortable.
- Some will talk, a lot, and no one is listening.
- There is a seating assignment based on power and relationships.
- There will be many side conversations.
- A long standing issue percolating below the surface enters into the conversation. Emotions begin to flare.
- A few people do all the work, and others take credit.
A more productive gathering
Then there is the Thanks Giving dinner where people leave and feel full, happy and thankful to be in the presence of interesting, engaging and respectful dinner companions.
Any gathering can be turned into a great occasion if you emphasize the positive. Your intention to add to the good feelings will go a long way! A successful event is usually a mix of brilliant discourse with an appreciation of the present moment, where everyone is fully contributing to make the get together memorable.
Here are a few suggestions to keep both Thanks Giving dinner and your meetings positive and productive!
Leave Your Anger at the Door
If you can make an attempt to enter a gathering and meeting with an open mind and open heart, you might just find it can be a fun and fulfilling experience.
Listen with Interest
Before the meeting starts, steer away from meaningless chitchat. Instead, listen to what people have to say. Share your stories, but listen to other people without judging. This is especially important with anyone who is set in their way. Try not to get reactivated by people who push your buttons or are annoying. Smile and move on.
Put away the mobile devices
There are some circumstances where it can be forgiven, and sometimes it’s a useful tool — we just have to be mindful of when we use it and how we use it during this gathering.
Stay Present
Most of our time is spent in the past or the future, rather than the present moment. What we end up doing is passing through that moment on the way to somewhere else and, in doing so, we miss the moment.
Appreciate what everyone has to say
Everyone brings something of value to the table. Find a way to understand what that is.
From all of us at The Executive Presence Group,
May the good things of life be yours in abundance. Happy Thanksgiving
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