So I got to run a meeting today, my first staff meeting that was all mine from start to finish. It was kind of big deal. The challenge was to conduct the meeting without a structured agenda, relying solely on open dialog and discussion to come to a group-supported decision. After an hour and a half, and numerous interventions as the conversations veered and digressed wildly, we finished the night with a near-unanimous decision. At the end, while everyone was filtering out of the conference room, one of my teammates, somewhat of a veteran in our dept. remarked that it was one of the best staff meetings he'd ever attended. Wow. His wasn't the only compliment I got, but it was certainly very meaningful.

I can see how people can get ambitious for this kind of thing. I don't crave being anybody's boss or power or authority, etc. However there is certainly an immense feeling of satisfaction in having gotten a staff of 21 people to openly discuss and opine on a number of issues, then have them come to a productive conclusion that benefits everyone.

Of course a lot of it was probably luck and I'd be hard-pressed to replicate today.