It's Tuesday at 2:00pm! (PST Time: I live and work from Southern California)
Greetings to you!
Each week I send out a short leadership blog that's called "Tuesday at 2:00pm". The purpose of this is simply to provide a brief thought on leadership that you can read and think about in just a few minutes. I send it out every week at 2:00pm (PST) and encourage you to make an appointment with yourself to pause and think about the thing I'm writing about.
Russ...
LEADERSHIP QUOTE:
"Too many gatherings don't end. They simply stop." Priya Parker
What does this stir up? Either write me HERE or comment at the end of the blog post HERE.
A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:
This month, I'm going to dive into a few quotes from Priya Parker, the author of the book, The Art of Gathering. I've been talking about this book for the past few months, and I thought I'd choose a couple of her quotes on the importance of gathering together just to encourage you to explore the book more deeply.
To read past quotes & thoughts.... CLICK HERE.
This quote caught my attention because it's so true! I often put all of my energy on how to START a gathering: Getting people there, setting up the room, working the agenda and making sure everything flows smoothly, but then I don't spend a lot of time thinking about the END.
Parker would say:
" Endings give meaning - they help participants reflect, transition and carry something forward. When gatherings just fizzle out, people lose the chance to make sense of the experience or feel closure."
I experienced this a couple of times over the past number of weeks:
A great lunch meeting and presentation that was quickly wrapped up because we ran out of time, and people simply stood and left.
A business gathering where participants began "slipping out early", and eventually the leader said, "Well, since people are leaving, let's just close our time."
A large event that was running really long, and people left early because there was no clear end in sight or expectation of when the end would come.
A coffee meeting that was cut short because of another appointment, which led me to dash out without bringing things to closure.
We do it all the time! I do it all the time.
Sometimes, by the time I get to my car, I find myself wishing that I could have finished better!
Parker shares these thoughts on ENDINGS:
1) ENDINGS GIVE MEANING: "The end is your final opportunity to help people understand what the gathering was really about."
2) DON'T LET IT JUST FIZZLE: "Even 2 minutes of structure at the end can transform how the gathering lands."
3) MARK THE TRANSITION: Make a toast, share a takeaway, a collective gesture (clapping, standing), a ritual.
4) LOOK BACK, THEN FORWARD: "Good endings REFLECT back, and PROJECT forward.
5) SAY GOODBYE WITH CARE: "A personal farewell - a thank-you, a handshake, a hug - communicates value and closure."
Think about a GREAT ending you experienced recently. What made it so powerful? (I'll share mine below)
DEEPER STILL:
When I give thought to ENDINGS and try to figure out why I don't do so well, here are the reasons I've found:
I try to do TOO MUCH in a short amount of time. I pack the schedule, and then wonder why I feel so rushed.
I ASSUME that everyone that attends can stay for the whole time. I am often surprised when people have to leave early.
I spend most of my time on the CONTENT which I define as the most important aspect. I don't think about the endings as much.
I use my ENDING to give instructions, logistics or details rather than driving home purpose.
I rely on TECHNOLOGY to bring closure: I send out a follow-up email or a survey instead of doing it in person.
I'm sure there are many more reasons we don't focus on the endings, but while not being intentional every time, I also remember some pretty powerful endings:
Taking communion together and closing in worship. Powerful.
Have people communicate verbally their takeaways.
Taking a group picture then giving everyone a hug.
Providing solo time for reflection and application.
This past week, while attending our church service, at the close of the service, after the worship, after communion, after announcements and after everything else, the pastor stood and prayed a blessing over those that were still standing. It was a powerful prayer and an important reminder of why we had all gathered together.
However, before we got to that moment, people fled quick to grab their kids, or to beat people to the parking lot. People began checking their phones and gathering up their stuff. People began talking to each other. There were so many distractions all around me, and I realized that often I'm one of THOSE people... distracted, in a hurry, thinking about what's next.
Instead, for that moment, the blessing brought everything home and left me standing in gratefulness and thanksgiving because the "gathering" ended with a moment of clarity, of focus and of purpose! I'm glad I didn't miss it!
How have you used the powerful moment of ENDINGS to bring focused energy on your gatherings? Has it made a difference?
Things I'm Reading, Listening To and Watching This Week:
The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker I encourage you to read or listen to the book. It will get you thinking!
Last week I shared that I had been listening to The Eagles playlist all week... the reason why was because Gina and I drove to Las Vegas to see them play this past weekend at The Sphere. What an incredible show with a band I've been listening to since 1975 when I was given my first cassette tape. I've been listening every since. Their harmonies, musicianship and timeless music provided an incredible evening Gina and I are still talking about. The technology provided by the Sphere put the concert on a whole other level. Probably the best show I've ever seen. Vince Gill & Deacon Frey were great compliments to an already epic band!
Leader Mundial had over 200 leaders gather over the last number of weeks representing more than 19 countries in 5 different events. The "Movement" is growing! Learn More HERE
I often turn to Sharon McMahon to learn more about what's happening in our country. She has a great perspective, and often is simply educating people on what the law says, what the constitution defines and what's actually happening! You can learn more about her on The Preamble Podcast. She's often called "America's Government Teacher".