The Secrets of Tony Jeary and George Lowe

        This book is for both meeting leaders and participants. The fundamentals found here will work for any meeting – big or small, corporate or field location – and for all kinds of issues.   As you read on, much of what you’ll discover touches on the subject of leadership. Our basic philosophy is that successful organizations leverage leadership at all levels and through all kinds of activities – including the meetings they have. When people are empowered and encouraged to act, the burden of leadership is shared. And Have you ever seen a famous magician perform? Seemed like you were watching a one-person show, didn’t it? But you weren’t. In reality, you were watching a TEAM perform: stage assistants, lighting and special effects people, sound technicians, etc., as well as the magician. Sure, the magician may wave the wand and pull the rabbit out of the hat, but A meeting is a lot like a magic show. You have a group of people trying to reach a common goal. If you have good leadership and share the work, you can produce results that appear magical. If you’re someone who routinely calls meetings, your role is providing skilled leadership. You need to endorse, sponsor, and follow an effective meeting management process. And, you must promote a culture that values diverse views, solicits fresh perspectives, and demonstrates respect for people’s it’s that shared leadership that can make your meetings magical! the real secret to making magic is a bunch of people all working together. time.

If you’re someone who mostly participates in meetings that others call, you have your own unique opportunities for mak- ing a difference. You need to model positive behaviors by being prepared, by being an enthusiastic and involved partici- pant, and by being willing to provide candid feedback on how future meetings can be even more productive. Over the years, we’ve learned that            You can get more done in less time – with much less frustration. All you need is a skilled leader, a willing team, and … a little bit of magic. while meetings are a fact of business life, bad meetings don’t have to be. T he universe is full of magical things, patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper. –Eden Phillpotts

           Your First Trick:            How to use this book What's a“desired outcome”? The Secrets of Meeting Magic Revealed is full of key ideas, strate- gies, and tested processes that will drive big improvements in the meetings you lead or attend. But, as in stage magic, there’s more to it than meets the eye. So you’ll need to be a careful observer … and a diligent student! We recommend that you begin by first reading the entire book with a colored pen and highlighter in hand. Mark items that stand out to you:                   Remember to send written thanks Jot down questions or question marks in the margin next to items that aren’t clear on the first pass:                  Then, go back and work through the book with a “live” example – a meeting you’re planning or one you have just attended. As in pulling rabbits from hats, Meeting Magic requires that you study and practice the tricks before going on stage! Use the book to prepare for the next ten meetings you’re involved with. As you develop understanding of the nuances of each phase, mark the text pages with a big checkmark! Practice our tricks. Learn how to: build your own meeting agendas with desired outcomes and timing, evaluate each session, and handle difficult meeting situations with ease. When you begin to receive high scores for your meetings, you will know that you’re well on your way to becoming a master                        Meeting Magician!