Have you ever planned and held a meeting, confident that people will see a new project or strategy your way, only to be met with resistance or confusion? Luckily, there is a tool for avoiding this: the pre-meeting. Pre-meetings are essential for anyone hoping to have a successful meeting about a contentious issue. Here are some best practices for pre-meetings. 1. Talk to the right people: You are probably not going to have time for a pre-meeting with everyone who will be at the actual meeting, but make sure that you line up people who will be directly affected by whatever decision is going to be made, as well as those who have the most political influence. As the owner of the meeting, you need to consult these players and have a clear understanding of their viewpoints. 2. Really listen: Do not be so focused on convincing people that you fail to hear what they say. Instead, really listen to their point of view, work hard to understand their interests and demonstrate that you apprecia...
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