Meetings and Conversations Serve Two Purposes There is a second purpose to any meeting which we often overlook

Meetings or, more generally, conversations serve two purposes. The first is obvious, and that is to fulfill their aim. The second is less obvious and is usually neglected. It is to engage each other, improve relationships, and foster a sense of community.

The first purpose

Most meetings or conversations have a purpose, a pre-planned outcome. It may be to explore an issue, to make a decision, or to solve a problem.

But there is always a second subliminal purpose to a meeting or a conversation which we often overlook.

The second purpose

The second purpose is to engage with each other, improve relationships, and foster a sense of community.

In Henry Mintzberg’s language: to improve communityship.

This second aim sometimes happens by chance or in a minimal way, but it is rarely purposeful.

A good meeting or conversation addresses both objectives.

It is not just down to the convenor of the meeting or the most senior person in the room to address this second purpose, though they should take the most responsibility; it is down to everyone in the meeting.

A new future is created when each gathering (or meeting) becomes an opportunity to deepen accountability and commitment through engagement.

It doesn’t matter what the stated purpose of the gathering is. Each gathering serves two functions:

(1) to address its stated purpose and

(2) to be an occasion for each person to decide to become engaged as an owner. The leader’s task is to equally focus on both these purposes.

Credit: Peter Block

Whether in a one-to-one conversation or a more substantial meeting, there is always the opportunity for each of us to improve relationships and strengthen community.