008 - How to handle ineffective power differences in meetings with Marcel van de Hoef

In this episode, I talk to Marcel van de Hoef, a journalist, coach, and podcaster. Marcel hosts The Meeting Strategist podcast and helps leaders to transmit their mission through mass communication formats. Everything he does has to do with communication, so we talk about power structures in conversations and namely in meetings and workshops. 
 
In the show, Marcel shares how he raises awareness of the impact of power differences to reduce ineffective effects on conversations. We also speak about journalism, leadership, and how to use power for role modelling. 

Don’t miss the part when Marcel shared his experience being an editor in chief at age 22 and what he would do differently today. The conversation will inspire you to reduce unproductive power in workshops to make them work.   
 
 Questions and Answers

[2:28] How did you get interested in the topic of power? What’s your story?

[12:01] How would you define “unproductive power differences”?

[14:33] How can we avoid the negative impact of power differences?

[16:05] So power differences are not necessarily tied to differences in a hierarchy?

[18:00] In the context of professional gatherings, how can you make participants become aware of such power differences?

[22:21] When you feel power differences, how can you get participants to share information without risking the safe space? 

[27:27] Do you have a trick that helps those in power to lower their guards in meetings or workshops?

[33:01] What is the role of ego in power games?

[35:51] What is the magic ingredient that distinguishes a good from a bad meeting?

[38:18] How can you keep the balance between contributing, connecting and time boxing in a meeting with a tight agenda? 

[47:26] If a listener just woke up and missed the core part of the show, what do you want them to remember?

Related links you may want to check out:

• Marcel’s website, including his blog and podcast: www.meetingstrategist.org
• Marcel’s mentor Mauk Mulder http://maukmulder.nl/ (in Dutch) and an article in English
• Priya Parker’s book: The Art of Gathering
• Celeste Headlee on Coaching for Leaders 
• Amy Edmondson’s case study of the Chilean mine rescue 
• Marcel’s conversation with Oscar Trimboli on Deep Listening 
• Dale Carnegie’s book: How to win friends and influence people
• Marcel’s short blog about Dale Carnegie’s book 

Connect to Marcel:

LinkedIn 

Any thoughts? Share them with us!

Support the show

👉 What happens when being “professional” gets in the way of being human? My new podcast Unprofessionalism explores the rules we’re taught to follow at work, and what happens when we break them. Listen here: https://unprofessionalism.buzzsprout.com/  👈