Most meeting accomplish very little. This is why... oh, and what to do about it. Often, lack of structure and a poor understanding of groupthink can allow anyone to Leeroy Jenkins your meeting. Don't let that happen.

2. Groupthink: You’re doing it wrong.
A simple guide to group ideation.

4. All it takes is one.
• Planning is not enough
• You must control the environment
• Always work toward your end goal
One person can Leeroy Jenkins your entire session.

5. If you already know, why bother?
EX:
• Land new contract with “X” through 2016
• Brave ideas to pitch next Wednesday
• Solve customer service problem
Your goal should not be a specified result like “create a Twitter campaign”.

6. Supplement your core group with randomness.

7. Allow time for introverts.
• Send out an email ahead of time
• Explain the problem, the expected result and why you
chose them to participate
• Give them time to think
“There's zero correlation between being the best talker and having the best ideas.”
Susan Cain, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking

8. Must… have… *gasp* Red Bull.
• Make sure you have coffee, tea, water, protein…
whatever gives you wings
• Loosen up, relax, have a friggin' beer, have some fun,
laugh
• Give them toys
“Everything starts with energy.”
Dave Gray, Gamnestorming

9. Create structure, then enforce it.
• Many great ideas for gamestorming online
• Make sure everyone is getting a turn
• Use “time” to facilitate structure
“Without structure, ones mind mouth runs amuck.” ~ Homeless dude on Locust

10. Allow time for introverts.

11. Shut the f*ck up.
• You are the facilitator
• You will NOT participate
• You will NEVER steer the participants
The word “Listen” contains the same letters as the word “Silent”. ~ Alfred Brendel

12. Allow time for introverts.

13. Never discount.
• If a solution poses a new challenge, write it down
• Some solutions are ahead of their time
• Discounting even terrible ideas discourages participation
“People who say there are no bad ideas don’t have 12 year old daughters on Snapchat.”
Some genius (follow him @chrisfeix)

14. Allow time for introverts.

15. Wrap it up on time.
• Don’t be “that guy”
• Give it more time to wrap up than needed
• People like closure
“Meetings are like condoms. If you don’t wrap it up on time they can turn messy.”
Some genius (follow him @chrisfeix)