4.1: Common Identity Discussion

What happens to people when they feel they are part of a community with a common identity and shared purpose compared to those who primarily care about themselves?  Like when people feel like they are part of a family?

Well-functioning families talk. They communicate often. Similarly, so do well-functioning organizations. They meet regularly, provide updates, share ideas, share needs, ask for help, and give help. The recurring “staff meeting” is the channel through which this happens for many organizations. Yet many staff meetings are not well liked. They are boring and often waste people’s time.

1. What makes staff meetings disengaging? Why don’t participants look forward to them?

2. What could be done differently in staff meetings to make them more engaging?  What is the agenda of a well-designed staff meeting?

Scenario: You recently visited a supplier and discovered they have a very different environment from yours. Their facilities are different. Their furniture is different. Their breakroom is different. Their mission statement and values are different and portrayed very differently than those of your organization. But even more noticeable was how close knit everyone seemed to be. They acted more like a family who genuinely cared for each other and were proud of their family heritage. Most of them wore shirts emblazoned with their logo. Their workspaces were full of team-oriented awards in addition to their individual awards. They seemed to go out of their way to show concern for each other and check in on each other.

Upon return from your visit to your supplier, you called a meeting with your team to promote a stronger sense of community on your team and start an initiative to build more community. Outline the key points you plan to make in this meeting and the actions you plan to pursue: