Over the years, you pick up certain tricks to move programs forward.
I’m a big fan of the following technique from my Bag of Tricks:
- Have folks sign the flip charts after a meeting to ensure commitment.
I know, I know. Seems a little trite. But used sparingly, and for really big decisions, this can be a big help in ensuring people really pay attention to what they are committing to. And that they’ve really committed.
So, once you’ve brought in ideas for discussion and the group has had the meeting and made a decision, ask everyone to sign the flip chart where the timeline / decision / scope / etc is shown.
Just the small act of:
- Getting up –> Action
- Signing their name to a document (e.g. flip chart) –> Personal commitment
- Doing this in front of their peers –> Visibility
This makes everyone take the process a little more seriously.
Save the flip chart. Tuck it away in a file drawer.
You really don’t ever have to pull it back out, but in the backs of their minds, folks remember. I promise they do. And then every so often, when the group seems to be backsliding on the timeline / decision / scope / etc, you can reference the “signing of the flip chart”… and hopefully snap them back to their senses.
Until next time … wishing you business readiness success!
Kirsten Jordan is a Partner at PeopleResults. She can be reached on Twitter @Kirstenkbdb. Sign up to receive her and her colleagues’ blog at Current.
