Preparing An Issue For Discussion

The result you want is that people get right into straight, direct and to the point conversation.  Holding meetings where we try to winkle issues out without preparation is like nailing jelly to the ceiling – lots of energy expended and little to show for it.

Have the Team prepare in their own time, not on the spot and notice how much more depth, quality and progress is possible.

Send out this ‘issue surfacing tool’ before the meeting and then orientate the conversation around it:

Pre meeting / conversation / workshop task:

THE ISSUE (underlying why this meeting could be helpful) IS:
Be concise. In one or two sentences, get to the heart of the item. Is it a concern, challenge, opportunity, or recurring problem that is becoming more troublesome?

IT IS SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE:
What’s at stake? How does this affect profit, income, people, product, services, customers, well-being, timing, the future, or other relevant factors?
What is the future impact if the issue is not resolved?

MY IDEAL OUTCOME TODAY IS:
What specific results do I want?  What requests do I need to make?

RELEVENT BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Summarise with bullet points: How, when, why, and where did the issue start? Who are the key players? Which forces are at work? What is the issues current status?

WHAT HAVE I DONE UP TO THIS POINT:
What have I done so far? What options am I considering?

THE HELP I WANT FROM OTHERS IS:
What results do I want from the others?  For example alternative solutions, confidence regarding the right decision, identification of consequences, promises with accountability and when by dates, shifts in specific behaviour?

 

Paul Fox has been active as a Construction Industry Executive Coach for the last 17 years. He was an early player in bringing performance coaching to the attention of the industry and has developed a reputation as a practical, insightful, and able Coach.
Paul is an authority on relationships. How they work, what breaks them and how to strengthen them. There is no one he works with who has not raised their game in the game of forging powerful relationships. This knowledge and practical insight is shared with teams and individuals.
Productivity and performance are Paul’s other two signature interests. Many an executive has made the transition from capable player to accomplished leader via the coaching engagement. He has a keen insight into what he calls ‘work / life blending’ – helping busy people move successfully beyond the relentless pressure to put in more hours with diminishing return.
As a person to do business with, Paul is still working with clients that he started out with in the 90’s – a testament to his natural, easy manner and ability to connect with people and their ambition. He has worked with hundreds of clients 1-1 and lead 1000’s of hours in team sessions. Business is normally repeat business by achieving positive, lasting change in behaviour: for leaders, their people and their teams.

Contact:

T 0870 7501972
E paul@constructivecoaching.com