Precious briefings ... spend the time

An honest briefing from a client is so very precious - value this time as it will set you up superbly for your upcoming work with the team/organisation.

I was reminded last week of how very important the initial briefing is. I start to get ideas of how to shape a workshop almost as soon as the briefing starts! My self talk is now to slow down and LISTEN.  

I am conscious of the cost of a two day leadership workshop or a team workshop or leadership training, therefore my work must be developed with as much insight into the participants as I can achieve.  

My tips for achieving a sound and solid briefing are:

• Research ahead - find out about the organisation (if they are a new client), who will be in the briefing meeting, how long do we have?
• Make sure my technology is working as the briefing is more than likely to be virtual
• List down my questions - aimed particularly at what is happening now, team/organisation history, past training, what were the activities and outcome/s of the last time the leaders had time together, where is the team at, and importantly, what outcomes are those briefing me seeking to achieve on this occasion?
• Listen, ask questions respectfully, and listen to what is said and not said, give the briefing group time to tell their story that is leading to this workshop facilitation request
• Later in the briefing, I may start to suggest activities for the upcoming workshop and how they might work with this group. Again, listen to the response to the options and watch the on-screen verbal cues
• Ask questions about how this may or may not work and whether the participants would be ready for this activity
• Gain their knowledgeable input into the workshop design - this is ever so precious. Those in my briefing know well the team members who will be joining us. 

My briefing meeting outcome is that following this meeting, I can design a workshop that will:
a) match where the team/group is currently at, and,
b) deliver on the outcomes the leader is looking to achieve.