It’s Time to Talk About Your Feelings in the Conference Room

It May Sound Silly, But You’ll Have Better Meetings If You Ask Your Colleagues How They’re Doing Before You Get Started

How should you start a meeting?

Some say it’s not how you start but how you finish. As someone who has built a career helping leaders run meetings that are enjoyable and a valuable use of time (sounds improbable, doesn’t it!), I believe how you start a meeting is critical—whether with colleagues, clients, volunteers, your local government, or even your family.

And I always start meetings the same way. With “check-ins.”

At the beginning of every meeting, I invite each person to briefly answer the same question or set of questions.

My check-in …