Begin and end with love

I have seen a lot of meetings in my career. Some of them have been productive, while others have been a complete waste of time – how many times have we thought, “This could’ve been an email”? However, one thing that I have learned is that the way you begin and end a meeting can have a significant impact on its success.    

In this blog post, I want to talk about beginning meetings with love and ending with love. I know this may sound cheesy or even unrealistic but hear me out! Love is a powerful emotion that can help create a positive and productive environment. I started using this technique in my personal relationships a few years ago, and it has definitely helped me navigate some tricky conversations.  Opening and closing any kind of discussion with love, respect and positivity can yield some surprising results!   Here are some tips on how to do it: 

Beginning with Love 

1. Make Everyone Feel Welcome: When people arrive at the meeting, be sure to greet them warmly. Smile, make eye contact, and use their names. This will help create a welcoming atmosphere and set a positive tone for the meeting. 

2. Share Something Positive: Before diving into the agenda, take a few minutes to share something positive. It could be a personal accomplishment, a team success, or even a funny story. This will help create a sense of community and build rapport among team members. It’s so much easier to arrive at a common goal when everyone is connected – even in a small way – from the beginning!  

3. Acknowledge Everyone’s Contributions: Take a moment to acknowledge everyone’s contributions to the project. This will help people feel valued and appreciated, which can lead to increased motivation and engagement. Sharing gratitude and recognizing everyone’s efforts goes a long way – many of us rarely, if ever, hear a nice word about our work, or get a “thank you so much!” from a colleague or manager.   

Ending with Love 

1. Summarize the Meeting: Before ending the meeting, summarize what was discussed and any action items that were assigned. This will help ensure that everyone is on the same page and knows what they need to do next.  I’ve found that people are grateful for a just simple bullet-pointed list of decisions made, next steps, and key actions.   

2. Thank Everyone for Their time: Be sure to thank everyone for their time and contributions to the meeting. This will help show that you value their input and respect their time. 

3. End on a Positive Note: Finally, end the meeting on a positive note. You could share a motivational message or an exciting announcement (such as someone’s promotion or an upcoming team event). This will help leave everyone feeling energized and inspired. 

“Begin with Love, End with Love” may seem like a small thing or silly concept, but it can have a big impact on the success of your project. By creating a positive and productive environment, you can help your team achieve their goals and build strong relationships along the way. So, the next time you lead a meeting, try beginning and ending with love – you might be surprised at the results!