Skip Meetings

8/3/2019 Skip Meetings

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/skip-meetings 1/4

How to build trust at YOUR workplace

- Brillian S. K Last updated on: August 10, 2011 10:55 IST

Published in rediff.com on August 109, 2011, GET AHEAD

http://www.rediff.com/getahead/slide-show/slide-show-1-career-why-are-skip-level-meetings-so-

important/20110810.htm P a g e | 1

HR professional Brillian SK tells you why skip-level meetings areessential for every organisation and offers suggestions on how to

conduct one in the right manner.

We have heard of organisations talkingabout an open and transparent workculture. Have you wondered what makesthese organisations different?Why are some the best places to work eventhough they have limited resources? Doesyour organisation value open, honestcommunication and believe in creating a

trusting, ethical, and efficient workplace?There are multitudes of activities that youmay undertake. We look at one of the most

important aspects of building trust and an open and transparentworkplace,viz to organise a Skip Level meeting.

What is a Skip Level meeting?A Skip Level meeting is a meeting between manager/s and team memberswho are one or more levels below them. It is essentially organised in large

organisations where the interaction between members of the higher level ofmanagement and the members of the lower level are relatively minimal.Skip-level meetings are a means to get first hand information about yourteam and its members.

While you may be interacting with your direct reports on a regular basis, it isimportant to meet your sub teams (teams working under your direct reports).Skip-level meetings are not for resolving issues, it's all about listening to yoursub team's challenges and letting them know that you care.While conducting the Skip, you must ensure that your direct reports are notpresent. Plan your skip meetings well in advance, give the team members achance to collate information and issues that they wish to share with you.It is ideal to have a skip meeting at least once in a month. Keep in mind thatskip meetings are not for blaming or public humiliation of an individual orgroup, or resolving existing issues.








Attendees must be selected randomlyThe First Skip Meeting

Breaking ice is important as many teammembers may be sceptical about theconcept.

As the Business Head you must ensurethat everyone is at ease during themeeting. While informality is advised, astandard format must be followed to

ensure that you get the right responses.Attendees must be selected randomlyfrom different teams. At the start of themeeting, explain the purpose of the

meeting and tell the group that you are here to listen, not to solve problemsor even to answer questions.

Be clear that this is not a meeting to check on their supervisors, or discusscompensation and other personal matters. It is an information and problemidentification meeting. Have your HR partner or HR SPOC attend the skip

meeting regularly.

Get to know the participants and their backgroundHow to break the ice?

Begin the meeting in a very informalmode. Get to know the participants andtheir background. Spend some time ongeneral discussions. While there are norules governing participant numbers for

a skip meeting, it is recommended thatthe number be kept to a maximum of 10participants per session. This wouldensure that you get time to speak toeveryone and get to know their

concerns.








Do not commit to anything during the skip meetingSkipping the right way

Have a simple agenda for every skip-levelmeeting. For your first interaction a majorpart of the meeting agenda would be to knowthe team member, subsequently it wouldmove to a focussed but informal session.Formal sessions tend to be intimidating andemployees may not open up.The following outline would assist you in

ensuring that skip meetings help build a stronger team and enhance trust

levels across your team.

Plan your skip meeting. Decide the duration of each meeting and thequestions you plan to ask. Your discussion should revolve around theindividual team member, the team and overall management. Keepingquestions handy is useful so that you do not digress.Send invitations. Invite the employees you intend to meet. Let the teammanager know about the skip meeting, so that they are aware. Yourcommunication may state that the purpose of the meeting is to get a feel of

how they fit within their team and to understand the day-to-day activities.Review information collected. Information and updates collected during themeetings are critical and provides important feedback about your team andteam members. It is advised that you analyse and identify improvements andcorrective action.

Communicate your action plan. After the meeting, inform employees that youwill contact them shortly to discuss thoughts in depth concerning the meetingand to offer suggestions and necessary changes. If you are unable toresolve, communicate, let them know that you cannot resolve it under the

current circumstances.

There may be an urge to resolve small transactional issues then and thereitself, however, do not commit anything during the skip meeting.








Always stay in control of the meetingEvery bit of information gathered during themeeting is confidential and should not be heldagainst anyone. It would be appreciated if you canfocus on gathering feedback from employees ontheir aspirations, needs and desires on their jobs.Understand obstacles and challenges that preventthem from achieving their targets. Always stay incontrol of the meeting, do not let groupism or biasshift the focus of the meeting.Skip meetings provide critical information about the

employee's relationship with their immediatemanager, the appreciation and performance

feedback they receive or don't receive from managers.

Skip meetings act as a sounding board for employees seeking yoursuggestions for a positive change in the organisation. Remember once is notenough, you need to reach out to every employee and ensure that you meetthem as frequently as your schedule and team size permits.

However do not make it trivial by having the skip meetings like normalbusiness meeting too often and without any purpose. You have acommitment towards a larger goal, the betterment of the organisation andhence your actions would have a direct impact on the employees and theirperception.

If you have not had a skip meeting yet, go take that first step towards buildingthe bridge. You can make a difference by reaching out. Start skipping now!

Skip Meetings

Documents

Transcript of Skip Meetings