The Transition Meeting -- Details

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

You can jump start your new team into immediate action with a minimal investment of time. In advance of the meeting, our veteran facilitator will brief the new boss on details of the process, interview all meeting participants and customize an agenda. The meeting itself is conducted at an offsite location over a period of two to three days, depending on the size of the team.

Management teams in past Transition Meetings have focused on:

• Resolving inclusion problems between the boss and direct reports, and between the direct reports and their peers.
• Creating a "Team Code" which reinforces how the team will work more effectively in the future.
• Defining the team's goals and direction, and setting priorities for attaining them.
• Identifying major problems facing the team or work group, and building action plans to resolve them.
• Exploring opportunities that should be pursued.
• Creating a "Commitment Document" which each team member and the team as a whole commits to and is accountable for.

Clearly, the transition meeting offers a high-gain, low-risk effort for all involved, particularly the new leader. The new leader directly benefits from being able to observe the team members discussing issues and clarifying problem areas, while maintaining a low profile during the meeting. Most importantly, the transition allows for a maximum exchange of information and encourages team members to speak honestly about their real concerns. Once the direct reports understand the new leader's priorities, management style, values and expectations, they are free to focus on the real work at hand. In summary, the Transition Meeting is one of the most cost-effective low-risk methods for any new team to become efficient and productive without wasting valuable time.