Making Meaning out of Mundane Moments
“Don’t start church with the announcements.” This sage advice came from a long time mentor who built a noteworthy career in television news. He wasn’t actually talking about church. He was talking about how to kick off an awards celebration for 10 exemplary teachers that we were responsible for organizing. He did not want the show to start with the emcee stepping out from a dark curtain and welcoming everyone. Instead, the show started with a hype video featuring each teacher. Within seconds of the loud music starting, hundreds of kids, parents and colleagues were cheering for the person they came to celebrate. Certainly not the response we would have realized if we started with “Hello, I’m ________. Thank you for coming.”
While we experience powerful moments in many settings, like the one above, we don’t often stop to create them in our daily work. But, at SWIM we feel like every time we bring people together, we have the chance to create meaning that can bring us closer to one another and take us further towards our mission.
So, what are the opportunities to make meaning out of mundane moments?
Ritualize meaning from the start: Small talk is nice, and necessary to maintain relationships. But, small talk seldom deepens relationships. So, after the talk about the weather (for us Midwesterners), ask a real question. In our staff meeting today we opened by reflecting on what excites us and gives us hope for 2025. This led into a discussion about our 2025 Strategic Plan.
Make meaning out of money: Tell the story of your strategy through the lens of your budget. What if instead of saying that your organization spent $4 million on grants, you showed how $4 million created new outcomes - college accessibility, clean water, or a new art installation. Or instead of saying your food bank spent $6 million on programs, you showed evidence that this $6 million improved access to charitable food in an under-resourced area.
Put something real on the table: When talking about how you should use your resources to advance your cause -- give people something real - like poker chips -- to use to articulate their point of view.
See what I mean? Using visuals creates an impact: Whether it’s a complex data visualization, a visual metaphor, or a sketch you made during a meeting, visuals are like little superheroes. They are powerful tools to capture attention and make complex ideas clear.
Don’t let the end dribble away: The end of your meeting is a prime opportunity to solidify meaning and continue fostering relationships. Even a small amount of time can bring impact. We often use a completion process from Breakthrough Leadership Group where you allow participants the opportunity to name items they are pleased with, disappointed with, and give any acknowledgements. This brings closure to the meeting and continues to foster connections.
Looking for more ways to make meaning and activate moments? Schedule a call with us today!