Simple ways to prepare before facilitating a meeting

A pal asked me how to prepare for a meeting they were facilitating. Here’s my response.No. 0001. Know the purpose, rational aim & experiential aim of the meetingThe purpose and rational aim are good to share during the conversation. Keep the experimental aim to yourself. This gives everyone a chance to understand what purpose they’re working towards. A decent rational aim answers questions like ‘what will we make or decide?’ or ‘what’s different after this time together?’ and serves as evidence that people should engage and take things seriously.How to make any meeting better with 3 simple fencepostsIdentify a purpose, rational aim & experiential aim—quick actions with a huge effect.No. 0002. Focus on the rational aim, less so on the restThings might go slow or swerve from your plan. That is fine, so long as you believe it will still lead toward the rational aim. If you need to guide attention back, pointing out the rational aim to participants can be an easy way to reveal a path back…