We begin many meetings at the d.school with the simple question, “Are we flaring, or focusing?”

All we are doing is using our own shorthand for establishing the desired outcome of the meeting: generating options, or making decisions. It may seem silly, but setting the frame helps folks know how to show up, and what kind of behaviors are valued in this particular moment.

It’s important to be explicit and transparent about the purpose of a gathering, especially as a leader, even if you’re only leading that one meeting. According to the Lean Enterprise Institute, “The most important skill to master as a leader is that of framing the work, says Harvard Business School Professor Amy Edmondson.”

As Edmondson has said, “Framing means finding ways to call attention to that which matters; and calling attention in a way that gets the right behaviors from the team… Creating the frame really empowers people to work together understanding that things won’t go well all the time, but to be willing to take those interpersonal risks (required to) getting this exciting work done.”

Establishing simple framing questions — like the d.schools, “Flaring or focusing?” meeting-opener — helps teams do the work they need to do, in the way they need to do it.

Related: Look for What’s Right
Related: Inquiry-Driven Action
Related: Create Psychological Safety

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