Meeting tools and sticky notes are not an alternative to dialogue

Contrary to what some may believe, meeting tools and sticky notes are not a replacement for dialogue.

The purpose of using these tools is not about eliminating discussion. Quite the contrary. Effective use of meeting tools and sticky notes are about inspiring dialogue, and ensuring it is productive and efficient.

The idea of such meeting tools is not that they provide an answer, but that they provoke and inform the discussion which leads to an answer.

Even where the tools are numerically based, we should not mindlessly accept the score they produce. Rather we should use it as a proposal for discussion. And that discussion should include reflections on the insights thrown up by the tool. But it should not be constrained by them. To adapt an old adage: To err is human, but to really mess things up you need (to rely unthinkingly on) a computer!

In many cases, dialogue can be based on partial views: Partial understanding of context; partial awareness of pertinent factors; partial inclusion of perspectives and diverse opinion. It can be inefficient, constrained by time, and dominated by a subset of voices.

Meeting tools help overcome these limitations. They draw in a wider range of perspectives; better engage people in expressing opinions; are more inclusive of diversity; and help to ensure that we consider all aspects of context and pertinent factors. They promote curiosity over judgement, and better reflect minority views. Together, these provide a better environment for creative and diverse ideas to surface. Where voting is used, they can help to better expose bias and reasoning. And, in this way, provide for more balanced rationale to prevail.

In other words, they can provide a great platform for informed, insightful and balanced dialogue to take place. With a better grounding in curiosity and compassion. And a good foundation for consensus and commitment to the conclusion.