Hidden agendas

Meetings can bond and unite participants and enable useful decision-making and information sharing to take place. However, people sometimes come to meetings with 'hidden agendas', and use the opportunity to pursue aims other than those stated on the agenda. The Chair should be alert to 'hidden agendas', such as individuals seeking promotion using the meeting as an occasion to 'perform' to gain the attention of management, taking the opportunity to campaign for other objectives, or even trying to thwart the stated aims of the meeting.

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Hidden agendas
Listen to two staff members talking, in ValleyView Headquarters. Can you work out what the hidden agenda is? Take a few minutes to write your response then click Done.

Done

Norta is obviously smarting from a reduced budget. It looks like Geoff was able to win a budget increase, and the resentment over this is so strong that Norta is determined to scuttle any proposal Geoff presents. If the project is approved, Geoff may fare much better in the restructure, and Norta wants to avoid this. Strongly emotive language often indicates a hidden agenda.

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