Meetings are an integral part of the fabric of our work. They can be moments of clarity and collaboration—or they can feel like obligations on the calendar. What makes the difference? Often, it’s the human connection at the start.
When we take a moment to pause, connect, and acknowledge one another, the entire experience shifts. Here are two ways I strive to open meetings with a sense of purpose and shared gratitude.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t first credit @Don Williams here for his go “BIG” or begin in gratitude practice. This has changed not only me, but my approach to any meeting!
- A Moment of Gratitude
It’s easy to rush from one task to another, checking items off our to-do lists. But what if we paused to reflect on something good before diving into the agenda? Something simple that reminds us of the bigger picture. Taking a moment to express gratitude changes the energy in the room. It centers us.
One of the most powerful things we can do as leaders—or even just as meeting participants—is to model the behavior we hope to see. When we share our gratitude, it encourages others to reflect on their own. I once started a meeting by saying, “I’m grateful for how we handled last week’s unexpected changes. It wasn’t easy, but we came through it together.” What followed was a round of similar acknowledgments.
We didn’t just begin a meeting that day—we began with connection, and that set the tone for everything that followed. Starting the meeting this way allowed gratitude to frame our conversation.
- Start with a Win
Celebrating success is something we don’t do enough of. And it doesn’t have to be a “significant” achievement—a small win is just as important. Starting a meeting with a win reminds us that progress is happening, even when the road feels long. “What’s a win we can celebrate today?” It’s a simple question, but it sparks positive energy.
In a recent meeting, a colleague shared a win about a breakthrough they had with a challenging project. It wasn’t something anyone else knew about, but that small acknowledgment lifted the entire team’s spirits. Starting with a win reinforces that every contribution counts, and it encourages everyone to look for the good in the work they’re doing.
By beginning meetings with a moment of gratitude or celebrating a win, we set the stage for a more meaningful and productive conversation. It’s not about skipping over the tough parts of work or avoiding difficult conversations—it’s about reminding ourselves and each other that we are united for a reason, working to accomplish a shared goal.
