My mind was wandering as I thought about how to host and lead a better meeting. There’s a second part to that thought track, and that is wondering how I can be a better meeting attendee. Are you thinking “Ugh”? I am a complete believer that meetings kept on-track and lasting no longer than an hour are the best, most productive and beneficial meetings. I’m also a realist in recognizing those meetings are not usually very interesting. Am I wrong? I decided to do what we do a lot today … I asked Chat GPT.
I gave Chat GPT this prompt:
“You are a meeting attendee. Give a funny and warm description of a great meeting.” As can happen with Chat GPT, it was a little confused. I was grasping for a funny and warm description, not a funny meeting. Either way, the meeting format deserves some thought!
Here’s what Chat came up with.
Picture this: I walked into the meeting room expecting just another mundane gathering, but boy, was I pleasantly surprised! The room was buzzing with energy and laughter. Turns out, our team had decided to add a dash of fun to the meeting, and it turned into an absolute riot!
We started off with some icebreaker activities that had us rolling with laughter. We shared hilarious childhood stories, embarrassing moments, and even attempted some impromptu charades. Trust me, I haven't seen my colleagues laugh that hard in ages!
As the meeting kicked off, our leader introduced a "funniest joke" competition. Each agenda item was followed by a quick round of joke-telling. And let me tell you, we've got some real comedians on our team! We had witty one-liners, clever puns, and even some cleverly timed knock-knock jokes. It was an absolute laughter fest!
But amidst all the laughter, we were surprisingly productive too. We managed to discuss important matters, make crucial decisions, and assign tasks, all while keeping the positive vibes alive. It's amazing how a bit of humor can lighten the mood and boost creativity.
To top it all off, we had a mini snack break halfway through the meeting. Our thoughtful colleagues had arranged a surprise treat of everyone's favorite snacks. There's nothing like munching on chips and cookies to fuel both our bellies and our ideas!
By the end of the meeting, we had accomplished so much more than we anticipated. We left the room with smiles on our faces, our spirits uplifted, and a renewed sense of camaraderie. It was a reminder that work doesn't always have to be serious and somber. Sometimes, a little humor and warmth can make all the difference.
So there you have it, a meeting that turned into a laughter-filled adventure. Who knew business discussions and jokes could go hand in hand? It just goes to show that a touch of humor can transform an ordinary meeting into an extraordinary memory.
What do you think? Please comment if you try this or some similar format. I think it definitely sounds fun, but my concerns involve the human brain and our ability to jump back and forth between a business agenda and jokes. I can not wait to hear input from you!
Paula Blair is the owner/operator of SOAR Co-Working in Tampa, Florida. If you live near or are visiting the New Tampa area and would like to see our space, please select "book a tour" from the footer below.