A quick leadership tip to keep meetings productive—and a reminder not to miss the good stuff while you’re in it.
Ever have one of those weeks where you’re bouncing between big work dynamics, deeper thoughts about life, and trying to make the next right move—whether it’s with your team or your family? Same here.
This week’s edition covers both ends of the spectrum: how to collect team input (without letting meetings turn into a complain-fest), and a perspective shift to help you spot the good stuff in real time—not just in hindsight. Let’s dig in.
LEADERSHIP
Input vs. Opinion: Why the Difference Matters for Team Dynamics
Are you asking your team for input… or opinion? The difference might sound subtle—but the impact on your meetings, engagement, and team dynamics is anything but.
If you’ve ever led a meeting where someone dominates the floor with a strong (and maybe slightly off-topic) opinion, you’ve likely felt the tension between what’s helpful in the moment vs. what needs a different setting (Jerry, did you have to bring this up in front of everyone? (face palm)).
Here’s the key distinction:
- Input is collaborative, constructive, and focused on solving a problem or improving an idea.
- Opinion is a personal belief or judgment. It’s subjective—and often emotionally charged.
Input thrives in group settings. Think: dot voting, quick polls, chats, or fast shares. It’s idea-based and helps move the conversation forward without turning up the heat. It’s problem solving in real-time.
Opinion, on the other hand, is best gathered in 1:1s or small groups. It gives you insight into how someone feels—not necessarily what should happen. It’s valuable, but it needs context and the right container.
And don’t get me wrong—you need both.
You might ask for input on a new process and be surprised when the response is emotionally charged. That’s not a red flag—it’s insight. When you know where there’s opinion (aka emotion), you can start to troubleshoot, adjust your communication strategy, and tune into the undercurrents shaping team culture.
When teams understand the difference—and when leaders intentionally make space for both—they’re more likely to engage in the right way, at the right time. It keeps meetings productive, voices heard, and dynamics healthy.
Here’s something you could try:
“I want to do a quick pulse-check on this—drop your thoughts in the chat or mark your vote here. If there’s more energy behind this, I’ll carve out space in our 1:1s or huddle a small group.”
Not a fan of corporate lingo? Tweak it to match your tone. The goal is simple:
Help your team happen to the work—not just feel like it’s happening to them.
(Hint: This tip works just as well with kids and spouses.)
LIFE
These Are the Good Old Days
Lately, I’ve been feeling the shifts of life. Friends sharing hard news. Our parents’ generation getting older. And just this week, when I tried to walk my daughter into volleyball camp, she looked at me and said, “Mom, I can do it myself.” Oof. That one hit hard.
She doesn’t need me to fix her ponytail or pick out her outfit anymore. In fact, she’d be mortified if I did.
It made me think about how often we don’t realize we’re in the good old days—until they’ve already passed.
Years from now, I’ll probably look back at this stretch—where the kids are still at home, the schedule is chaotic, and I’m juggling work and parenting—and think, Wow, that was a magical season.
Stressful? Absolutely.
But also full of moments I’ll want back: laughter, silly arguments about who won the card game, tucking kids into bed, hearing friend drama over snacks, wiping a scraped knee.
Those mundane moments? They’re love in disguise.
I think back to my twenties when I didn’t get tired from dancing all night or hiking all day. These days, I’m training for a Grand Canyon hike—and it’s not just mental prep, it’s physical too. My body doesn’t bounce back like it used to. Every step takes more intention.
But maybe that’s the point.
Every season has its beauty—if we’re paying attention.
So here’s a quick perspective shift to borrow:
The next time something feels hard, annoying, or just like a lot, pause. Look around.
What about this moment might you miss someday?
What might you laugh about or wish you could bottle up?
These are the good old days. Easier said than done, but let’s not miss them while we’re in them.