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Treat Meetings as Crucibles

• skmurphy 1mo ago
  Key takeaways: Founders should treat meetings as crucibles for getting facts, perspectives, and potential courses of action on the table for a full and frank discussion that results in a working consensus. Some advice bootstrapping founders managing the dynamics of a team meeting with four to sixteen people. A two- or three-person conversation will also benefit, but there is a phase transition that seems to occur at four to five people up to about 16 for dealing with significant decisions. + Address issues promptly but prepare: sleeping on it and putting your thoughts in writing can often make for a more productive conversation. + Listen and check understanding: ask clarifying questions and accurately summarize what you heard to confirm shared understanding. + Stay calm and respectful, and avoid defensive responses. Take a break to maintain equanimity. + Keep your statements brief and on point. Don’t interrupt, and don’t repeat yourself unless asked to clarify. + Don’t suggest solutions until you have a rough consensus on a problem or need. + Don’t select a solution until you have evaluated at least two alternatives to the status quo. + It’s OK to disagree on the situation or a course of action in any one conversation or sequence of conversations: commit to finding a workable solution.