The other day as the facilitator of a group meeting in New York City – the meeting was at the starting point where we were ready to go around the table with brief introductions in order to get to know each other.  As is often my practice this question was asked in order to be answered first prior to their introductory words.

“We will go around the table first one at a time and answer this question and then please do introduce yourself to everyone – before coming to this meeting today would you say you were a –

• Blank page with nothing written on it
• A dazed and confused page with all squiggly lines on it
• An organized one to four ready with your questions and your list of four points to make
• You had previously contacted me for the agenda and looked up the details of what we were going to be covering in this meeting”

Take a moment and go to the comments section and note which one you would be.

Everyone took their turn and answered the question. Some had a story to go along with their answer and others did not. The answers did cover each of the options with blank page and squiggly lines the clear favorites. Once we went around the table one time. Here is what took place for round two.

“Please consider the following… you were asked to consider these four options for how you considered yourself prior to this meeting. The question now is related to this quote or concept: “How you do anything, is how you do everything.”  With this in mind – do you agree with this statement or not and now how do you show up in life –

• Blank page
• Squiggly lines
• One through four always organized
• Need to know in advance and do your research”

Take a moment and go to the comments section and provide your answers now.

This time around everyone was more thoughtful. Almost everyone had stories and explanations around their responses.

The wrap up from me is at the end of the day aren’t we all made up of a part of each in our daily lives? We each decide how much of each in what part of our day or our lives. This is the aspect of our awareness of ourselves where we have the ability to claim greater effectiveness, efficiencies and increased productivity in our work and in our lives.

What do you think?

Are you ready to have a person from outside of your company kick off your meeting or facilitate your meeting? Why not wake up your team and get everyone thinking before diving into the tasks at hand? Contact Mitch and let’s make it happen.

Mitch Tublin is an advanced certified executive coach, business consultant, trainer and speaker based in Stamford, CT.