5 Tips to Keep “Peace” in Meetings!

Do you struggle with keeping the “Peace” at your meetings?  Ever tried to build a consensus within a professional group?  If you are in property management and have ever been in problem solving meetings where you are tying to come to an agreement on a solution, you know it can be challenging.

Here are 5 tips to keep in mind and keep the meeting under control.

1. Problem defined: it is difficult to build consensus when you do not know what you are trying to overcome or achieve.  Define the problem as a goal to achieve.  Have the participants give you the goals.  Encourage those who are not participating to do so.  Remember you have to get a general agreement from all.
2. Everyone expresses thoughts respectfully: you will find that people will want to say things against opposing ideas. Encourage them to frame their venting positively and allow them to do it.
3. Alternative solutions explored: have the participants come up with various solutions to the problem. Then reduce the alternatives to a short list.  In essence you have created a problem solving team.
4. Choice is made: before this is done, has everyone agree that the alternative selected is the best for the team and they will support it. Make the choice.
5. Everyone agrees to support the solution: get everyone’s approval verbal and publicly in the meeting room before you adjourn.

Building consensus takes time and could happen over several meetings, depending on the complexity of the issue. Nonetheless, bringing the team back to the table to reach a consensus should never stop.  Meetings are critical facets to communication and to help your property management team make progress.

Written by Mechelle Flowers

Want to learn 4 secrets to improving employee performance?  Sign up for our complimentary webinar today!