Most of us have been accused of “having an agenda” at one point or another.
Usually, it is not meant as a compliment. It suggests we are plotting something, possibly scheming behind the scenes with a master plan. In reality, most of us can barely plan lunch.
Still, the accusation is not entirely wrong. We do have reasons for what we say and do. Ideally, those reasons involve productivity, clarity and getting through meetings without wondering why we showed up in the first place.
This brings me to another kind of agenda — one that doesn’t raise suspicion, just expectations. The written agenda.
Years ago, I read that every meeting should have one. Supposedly, it keeps discussions on track, prevents hijacking by that one person who treats meetings like open mic night, and, most importantly, respects everyone’s time. I was sold.
Now, I create an agenda for nearly every meeting I lead. Not because I am overly organized, but because I have seen what happens without one. Every morning, we hold a 10-minute staff meeting with 23 people. It is called the morning huddle, which sounds energetic but involves very little actual movement. We cover deadlines, vacations, birthdays, work anniversaries, sales updates and stories in progress. There’s even a riddle and a quote of the day.
Everyone participates, and roles rotate. It keeps people engaged and, more importantly, keeps things moving. And, every day prior, I send out the agenda. Religiously. Except for one day last week when I forgot. No agenda. No structure.
Just 23 people and a vague sense that we should probably talk about something important. So I winged it. And by “winged it,” I mean I watched the meeting drift off course like a shopping cart with a bad wheel. We zigged. We zagged. Time stretched, focus disappeared and the meeting took longer than it should have.
It wasn’t a disaster, exactly, but it wasn’t good. And, just like that, I was reminded why agendas matter. They are not about control. They are about sanity. They keep meetings short, focused and — dare I say — productive.
So, yes, I have an agenda. Not the secret, sinister kind. The kind that gets you in, gets you out and gives everyone a fighting chance to get back to real work.
Have a memorable Monday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman, Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com
Read more of Shane Goodman's columns here. | 
