Formalizing Manager Tools Meet-ups/Agendas

[quote="connick"]

2) practice
4) Personal case studies (one person talks through a current issue, everyone gives ideas/ thoughts, person reports back next month on status/results)

Thoughts?

connick.[/quote]

Hello connick,

I will raise the issue at our next meet-up here in Milwaukee. I *personally* desire to see case studies and discussion/advice. At the same time affirmation and sharing of best practices would be beneficial--not just problem solving.

I'll let you know what I find out. Have you had experience with the informal meet-ups and have a success story to share?

tlhausmann

I think you could go to a meet up in different states and have each one be different - and probably see elements of all of those things there.

Personally, I think much of the value is in the personal relationships more than a formal template. I'm not sure M&M are ready to franchise into our individual meets. And if they are, I'm not sure they're ready to relinquish control to us amateurs (if you can't see, my tongue is firmly in my cheek here)!

The crass side of me says 'If you want feedback practice and feedback, go to the conference!'

The realistic side of me says 'If you're at a MT gathering, I sincerely doubt that you would receive a blank stare if you mentioned you had a problem you'd like some help with.'

And the rest of me says 'Now Mark will post 'fantastic idea, here's an agenda!'

Honestly, I don't think I'd want to see individual meets 'scripted'. Every group is free to do what is right for them - if that's beer and crab legs, then it's beer and crab legs, if it's helping someone with a managerial conundrum, then that's what it is. Freedom of choice is such a beautiful thing.

[quote="juliahdoyle"]
Honestly, I don't think I'd want to see individual meets 'scripted'. Every group is free to do what is right for them - if that's beer and crab legs, then it's beer and crab legs, if it's helping someone with a managerial conundrum, then that's what it is. Freedom of choice is such a beautiful thing.[/quote]

I am in your camp juliah. I believe an overly scripted session becomes more like work rather an opportunity to share energy with others who are passionate about becoming better managers and leaders.

At the last meet up attended by Mark Horstman a couple months ago, Mark shared the future plans for the M-T podcast series, the site, and upcoming search capability. When I asked Mark directly about case studies in the podcasts, he was clear that he did not desire to the casts in that direction.

So, in effect, we have our own "case study" exercises while having pizza and beer. (It is Milwaukee after all.)

Several of us (MT listeners) solicit advice from one another outside of the forums and MT site. We have our own mailing list and share advice via email or occasional phone call. I know I value the interaction at our Milwaukee meet-ups. I have also received affirming feedback via email.

M&M have given us the _tools_ to communicate more effectively with one another through the common vocabulary we have learned from the podcasts.

Even when the group is small, the personal interaction and networking is invaluable and recharging.

tlhausmann