Monsters in Meetings - Part 6 Deadlocked Discussions
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Business -> subcategory Management.
Monsters in Meetings - Part 6: Breaking Deadlocked Discussions
Summary:
Think your meeting is going smoothly until one participant disagrees, creating a deadlock? Here's how to move forward. This is the sixth article in a seven-part series on Managing Monsters in Meetings.
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Deadlocks can sneak up on you and derail a meeting. Initially, participants seem to be progressing toward an agreement as they raise and explore concerns. But when discussions linger too long, they can spiral into arguments, leading to a standstill. Here’s how to handle it:
Approach 1: Form a Subcommittee
Enlist volunteers from both opposing sides to form a subcommittee tasked with resolving the issue. This approach is effective because:
1. The issue might require detailed research better conducted outside of the meeting.
2. Those responsible for the deadlock will work on finding a solution.
3. The necessity of a solution will be tested?"if no one is willing to investigate, the issue may not be as crucial as it seems.
To propose a subcommittee, you might say:
"There are concerns about this issue. Let’s not use everyone’s time here; instead, I’d like a subcommittee to work on this and report back. Who wants to join?"
If no one volunteers, say, "It seems there's not enough support for this issue. Let's return to our agenda. The next item is..."
Approach 2: Request an Analysis
If a minority is blocking progress, ask them to analyze the issue and suggest alternatives. You might say:
"Some of you view this issue differently. Could you help us by preparing an analysis with workable alternatives?"
Like the subcommittee approach, this will either highlight key considerations or test the participants' commitment. Either way, it shifts the deadlock out of the meeting, allowing you to move forward.
Key Points
Both approaches begin by acknowledging the deadlock exists, assigning responsibility for its resolution.
Leaders must navigate a world of gray, accepting some disorder during meetings to achieve results. However, it’s crucial to monitor and intervene if disorder persists too long.
Think of it like a car running low on gas: it’s time to refuel, not sit idly. Use these strategies to get your meeting back on track.
This is the sixth installment in a seven-part series on Monsters in Meetings.
You can find the original non-AI version of this article here: Monsters in Meetings - Part 6 Deadlocked Discussions.
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