Many professionals prepare for the meeting.
But in many organizations, decisions are shaped before the meeting ever starts.
The meeting becomes confirmation — not exploration.
Example from my career
In one organization, I noticed that leaders entered meetings already aligned.
Discussion still happened —
but the outcome rarely changed.
That’s when I realized the importance of understanding decision pathways, not just meeting dynamics.
Discussion
Have you ever walked into a meeting where it felt like the decision had already been made?
Relevant SHIELD Pillars
L – Listen Strategically
I – Initiate Interactions Intentionally