Guiding others (and ourselves) towards action definition is not easy. It means asking for decisions and risk taking and almost every brain seems built to avoid that. Make conscious effort to overcome it. Using frequently some of these questions may help.

(don't allow vague verbs as answers; check a list here)


"OK, so what's the next action on this?"/"...and who's got it?"

"Where should we start?"

"What would you suggest..." "...be done?"/"...we do first?"

"What could be a first move on this?"

"What would that imply in terms of a first action step?"

"How do you plan to solve that, in terms of concrete steps?"

"It seems we're not clear on this. What could be done to bring us some more information before deciding?"


OPENING/CLOSING MEETINGS

"Before we begin, can we quickly check the list of actions decided previously?"

"Before we go, can we quickly re-check the list of actions decided today?"

"Sorry, before we go, I confess I'm not exactly sure I got everything I'm supposed to do until next meeting... Can we check together, please?"



Hope that's useful. Do you have any more questions you normally use? Suggestions welcome!


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