[SSG nudge Leadership] "After 1 Minute of the Hourglass, the Right to Speak is Passed"

- The Small Device 'Moraesigye' Featured in Conversations

Changwook Park, CEO of Korea Knowledge Workers Association (Secretary General of Daewoo World Management Research Association)

A few days ago, I asked a new employee who attended a meeting, "Did you understand what Manager Kim just said?"

The reply was, "About half and half, sir." Since he was new, it was partly due to the content, but also because the manager took up all the time during the short 30-minute meeting with about 10 employees, speaking in a way that made it dizzying. This happens often, and although it feels a bit harsh to interrupt him in front of the staff, even when I call him aside to scold him, once he starts speaking at the meeting, he usually goes on for 4 to 5 minutes. During that time, the employees’ concentration hits rock bottom and their willingness to participate in the meeting completely disappears.

This is a common occurrence in meetings of various sizes or gatherings of many people. Especially when there is a large gap in rank or age, unharmonious meeting management kills not only organizational productivity but also creativity. A typical example is when senior or older members hold the microphone for a long time. If the meeting goes beyond the scheduled time, everyone feels rushed. Hastily proceeding kills the motivation of junior employees to speak. Employees who have meal times or appointments coming up become anxious. When they rush to finish and then are late meeting external guests, family, or friends, what excuses will they make? It’s obvious. What’s even more unfortunate is that the person who caused the delay by holding the microphone too long sometimes scolds those who speak hurriedly due to time pressure.

At times like this, try introducing a new tool: an hourglass. The CEO can say during the meeting, "From today, we will place an hourglass in the middle of the table. It’s a one-minute timer, specially made and purchased. We will limit speaking time to one minute and finish the meeting exactly in 50 minutes. Manager, please keep your remarks a bit shorter, and all employees should participate with the principle of equal opportunity. Since there are 10 attendees, each person will have at least five chances to speak. Assistant Manager Kim! From now on, when you hold the microphone, ring the bell as soon as the hourglass runs out after one minute. Let’s pass the opportunity to the next speaker. Also, please keep track of the number of times each person speaks."

People naturally become noticeably more tense. This has a considerable effect. Those who usually speak at length often show a grimace. This is because they have never learned proper communication methods, or even if they have, they have never been properly trained.

I recommend making this a part of the company culture. It can be set as a general rule for meetings or applied flexibly by having a superior set it up first and start the meeting.

There are also significant side benefits. Active participation and well-structured remarks from employees are a great consideration and education that helps growth. Of course, it may be difficult at first. If necessary, it’s good to study with a professional instructor and then train through work.

This method is also needed for conversations at home. When you set a time limit for speaking, you develop the ability to convey points accurately. Thanks to this, it also has the effect of making the other person listen attentively. It is effective between spouses, parents and children, and mothers and daughters. It’s also good to try in small religious groups or gatherings of classmates and colleagues.

Practicing speaking concisely within one minute becomes a welcomed habit for children and grandchildren in the era of 100-year lifespans.

By the way, if it’s hard to find a one-minute hourglass, you can use the alarm function on a smartphone or a slide timer in the meeting room.

Park Chang-wook, CEO of Korea Knowledge Leader Association (Secretary General of Daewoo World Management Research Association)

◆What is 'Nudge Leadership'?

- 'Nudge Leadership' is not about coercive or directive oppressive methods but about leading organizational or personal change through small and gentle interventions or motivation. It also means improving human relationships through small changes in oneself and transforming into a person others want to follow. Ultimately, it breathes creativity and passion into organizations or relationships, creating new value and happiness.