Meeting Hostages
“There are four types of people that attend meetings: Participants, Observers, Hostages....and Terrorists.”
Participants want to be there. Have something to say, Listen when others are talking. Their voice is heard and carries weight.
Observers choose to be there. Have very little to say. Look like they are listing when others are talking. Their voice is not heard.... until after the meeting when they lobby for their ideas.
Hostages have to be there. Have nothing to say (it would make the meeting go longer). Email while others are talking. Their body language speaks louder than their voice, but somehow their leaders think this is valuable "inclusion".
Terrorists find opportunity in being there. Have lots of ammo in their arsenal. Listen carefully for gaps when other people debate an issue. Their voice unleashes a monkey-wrench, poisonous skepticism, or an accusation about a person or group who is then not openly named.
Carefully select the people in your meetings. Encourage the Participants. Let the Hostages go. Don't allow the Observers to sit silent now and lobby later. Tell the Terrorist, they are the Terrorist too often, they need to get their ideas on the table up front so others can debate them and they must stay in the room until the decision is made (rather than suddenly running out as they let the grenades fly!)
