Great staff meetings require these 7 rules

Charles Stone

Great staff meetings require these 7 rules

Summarize with ChatGPT

Leaders can’t lead without meeting with others. Sometimes meetings go well. Sometimes they don’t. Often team dynamics derail productive meetings simply because someone misspoke or misheard. 

As I began to realize this, several years ago, I asked a psychologist to help me create some rules for talking in our staff meetings. I call them conversational ethics. Here are the 7 rules.

1. Listen: Let others say their piece; as Covey said, “Seek to understand before being understood.”

2. Suspend judgment: Don’t make assumptions about what others say.

3. Share in the thought pool: Everybody gives input; participate truthfully (how you really feel).

4. Stay detached from your ideas: Don’t take things personally; use “I” messages; own your personal view.

5. Let others be inarticulate: Help others articulate what they are trying to say by engaging.

6. Privacy: If personal issues with you and another person potentially could affect a discussion and/or a decision, first deal with it 1-on-1 in private with the individual.

7. Accountability: Everybody helps hold each other accountable to this set of ethics.

Photo source: istock 


Charles Stone coaches and equips pastors and teams to effectively navigate the unique challenges ministry brings. By blending biblical principles with cutting-edge brain-based practices he helps them enhance their leadership abilities, elevate their preaching/ teaching skills, and prioritize self-care. A pastor for over 42 years, he has served as a lead pastor, associate pastor, and church planter. He published seven books, and over 300 of his articles have appeared on various Christian leadership websites. He holds four earned academic degrees, including a D.Min. and a Ph.D.

Learn More »

More on Meetings and Team Building


Don't miss any of this great content! Sign up for our twice-weekly emails:

Free eBook

iRetire4Him: Unlock God’s Purpose for Your Retirement

This excerpt from iRetire4Him: Unlock God’s Purpose for Your Retirement includes portions from chapters 1, 8, and 9, and has been created specifically for the Biblical Leadership community.

Download Now


Our Writers

Jim Barber is the President of both the Society for Church Consulting and Barber Church …

Krishana Kraft is a marketing copywriter for The Navigators, a spiritual director for Greater Europe …

Jim Brangenberg is an established leader in the faith and work movement who has over …

Already a member? Sign in below.

  or register now

Forgot your password?

b'S1-NEW'