People skills++

Pre-work builds emotional commitment. It gets people to care.

Before the meeting, have everyone think about a question or bring an example of something. Explain why it’s important. Explain how you’ll use their input in the meeting.

If meeting attendees invest a bit of time and effort upfront:

👉 They’ll know why they’re joining
👉 They’ll have clarity on the meeting purpose
👉 They’ll be more likely to actively participate

Assign pre-work for your next meeting. 

You might see a commitment boost.

It can happen even when they’ve asked for your advice.

So next time you need to recommend a way forward, provide options. Even if the correct path is obvious to you. 

Explain each option. Outline the pros and cons. Say which option you prefer and why. And then say:

👉 “But you’re free to choose.”

Granting choice removes pressure. It invites ownership. And it doubles the chances of them agreeing to your preferred option.

With ownership of the decision, people are more likely to back the work. They’re more likely to defend the decision. They’re more likely to stick with it when things get tough.

Offer choice. Gain commitment.