Setting up a meeting

How many?

Only invite the people who need to be there. Generally, a smaller meeting of informed key people will produce better outcomes than a larger group. A meeting of four to seven people is ideal, 10 is okay, but 12 should be the limit.

Be aware of the dangers of groupthink which can affect highly cohesive groups. If groupthink is operating, silence may be interpreted as approval. Participants in a meeting may appear to agree with a proposal while privately opposing it. Decisions with serious repercussions may be made when participants have succumbed to groupthink.Group think is a behavioural trap with eight symptoms:

illusion of invulnerability

rationalisation

belief in inherent morality

stereotyping

direct pressure

self-censorship

illusion of unanimity

mind guards.

To learn more about how groupthink can affect meeting behaviour, search for relevant information on the Internet.

What do you think would be an ideal number at a meeting? Why?

Why do you think more than 12 people might be considered too many at a meeting?

Discuss this issue with others in the ValleyView Meeting room under the topic, Ideal numbers at a meeting. Make sure you refer to credible texts or other references when making your case and responding to others.

Use the menu below to continue.

Setting up a meeting

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