Top Tips for Don’t Hear It on the Grapevine: Making Meetings Matter
Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.
Henry Ford
Why This Matters
Many organisations have staff briefings, handovers and team meetings.
The challenge is making sure each one has a clear purpose.
When every meeting tries to do everything, important messages can get lost.
Introduction
Briefings, handovers and team meetings are not the same thing.
Each plays an important role in keeping people informed and connected.
Real-Life Example
Milena, a care home manager, complained that staff never attended team meetings.
When explored further, staff said every important update had already been covered elsewhere.
The meetings lacked purpose.
After redesigning communication processes, briefings focused on key updates, handovers focused on people supported, and team meetings focused on discussion and improvement.
Attendance quickly improved.
Mike’s Reflection
The most effective teams are usually clear about where communication happens.
Confusion often occurs when information is repeated in multiple places or when nobody is sure where certain discussions belong.
This Week’s Top Tips
Use Staff Briefings for Information
Short, focused updates about:
- Organisational news
- Policy updates
- Service changes
- Key messages
Use Handovers for Continuity of Care
Handovers should ensure staff understand:
- Changes in needs
- Risks
- Preferences
- Important events
Use Team Meetings for Reflection and Improvement
Create space for:
- Discussion
- Problem-solving
- Feedback
- Service development
A Gentle Reminder
Not every communication needs a meeting. But every meeting should have a purpose.
August Challenge
If people are hearing important news first through informal conversations, the communication system may need attention.
Over to You
Are your communication processes clear, or do staff receive the same information repeatedly in different ways?
This Week’s Challenge
Review your current meetings and identify the specific purpose of each one.
Remember: Small Actions can Create Big Opportunities.
Over to You:
Release Your Potential
These are my thoughts and perspectives (I’m not necessarily right or wrong, simply starting a conversation).
So, what about your thoughts? What is YOUR perspective?
- Do any of these things ring true for you and can you picture yourself putting these tips into action?
- What would it look, sound and feel like if you put some of these tips into action – for you and others?
- What barriers might you come against when putting these tips/ideas into action? How might you overcome them?
- Who could give you support and how?
- Have you tried these tips and ideas out and, if so, what have you learned?
I’d love to hear your thoughts, reflections, gut reactions, perceptions, experiences and wisdom.
Remember that sharing our experiences can help others, so your thoughts and comments are always welcome.
