The
planning session was a
success
– plenty of energy, ideas flowed
freely, all
captured on the flip chart,
everyone added
to the conversation. At the end, the notes were
reviewed, consolidated, prioritized, summarized
as bullets on a new flip
chart – which were typed up
and distributed – a record of the session.
During
implementation, the bullets
are interpreted differently among the doers
– people not at the planning session don't know the context and
the session participants
have different views of
what
the distilled items mean.
Like
reading an email quickly written and sent – gremlins must
have changed it – this
isn't what I thought I said.
Business
leaders need to get it out of their head and on to paper
– was a point Randy
Taussig,
Core
Leadership, made
during his presentation of
“Leadership Lessons from the Cockpit” at the July meeting of the
YPLG.
Writing it down is a
beginning.
I
carry a notebook (paper, not computer) and usually write extensive
notes during a meeting or event – things of interest and
significance at the moment. My
notes serve to remind me of the discussion and aid recall of relevant
information.
Often I'll write up
my notes as a 'one-pager' to share with Dick
and others, or to document a new concept or technology application.
Writing up the notes is a learning experience in itself.
Reading and
distilling
the notes, I recall more detail about what was said and have a
chance to think more deeply about it.
Focusing on content,
instead of capturing what's said, offers an opportunity to validate
and assess the information. – does it fit with current knowledge,
does further research reflect, contradict, or not address the new
information.
Distilling the notes
eliminates distractions and improves clarity and depth by
concentrating on significant elements of the presentation or event. I
also find this 'head work' leads to greater scrutiny of the critical
thinking behind these elements – often leading to an additional
level of understanding.
My notes are not
unlike the typed bullets from the meeting or the unfocused email –
perhaps adequate but not illuminating. However, the process of
writing up the notes helps to dig deeper and know the topic better,
as well as creating a useful document to share with others. The
writer learns more and a good document helps others to understand the
significant elements from the meeting or event – well
worth the effort.
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2 comments:
Writing down an idea freezes it, makes it part of a "to do" list. It may not get any grander, but it gets done!
Writing down ideas and distributing to those present gives focus (purpose) to meetings. It helps remind the participants what they promised and often generates action. Otherwise the meeting is forgotten and the ideas fade away.
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