Editor’s Note: This post is part of Jay Farias’s series, Why Your Meetings Suck (and Why It’s Not Your Fault). Part One explained why meetings go sideways; Part Two will show how to fix them. This little interlude offers a lightweight but powerful opening ritual you can use to positively set tone for your next gathering.
Three Conscious Breaths/Two-Word Feeling Check-In/One Question
Often we rush from task to task, meeting to meeting, in one continuous slog without breaks. We end up accumulating tension and emotion that spill over into our interactions with others. Enter the 3-2-1 Opening. It helps shed residual energy, gives you a quick read on where everyone is at, and generates immediate connection. I use the full version for longer sessions, but even starting every call with three conscious breaths creates a definitive opening.
Three Conscious Breaths
Open the space. You can either lead this as the facilitator or invite everyone to pause and take three breaths on their own. A conscious breath is an inhale through the nose, a brief pause, and exhale out the mouth. Preferably with the eyes closed. Do this three times to properly transition into your session.
Two-Word Feeling Check-In
Go first to set the tone and create a constructive space for sharing. Display a feelings wheel on-screen and let everyone take stock of their emotional state. Maybe someone just lost a pet, or their mind is on a looming deadline. Giving everyone space to voice their feelings lets you read the energy in the room. Adjust as needed. If most of the group is stressed or distracted, consider rescheduling or reframing the session. Don’t force it. Sharing feelings also builds trust; it’s team-building in disguise.
One Question
Create immediate engagement by asking one positive, topic-adjacent (or not) question. If you are in a large group, use Miro or a shared document so everyone can write their answers at the same time. An easy question to use for 1:1’s is “What’s a recent positive experience you’ve had?” For longer sessions, you can get more playful and creative: “What’s your favorite album?,” or “What would be your superpower?” Interesting questions get people engaged and help everyone know each other better.
Running a successful meeting is as much about creating the space for collaboration to happen as it is about your approach.
Tend the garden, plant the seeds, and watch things grow.
Want to see great facilitation in action? Join Jay Farias for his upcoming Dashboard Discovery Workshop, a live, hands-on session where you’ll learn how to transform dashboard design meetings into structured, collaborative problem-solving experiences.
Watch the teaser video on LinkedIn, then reserve your spot on the Dashboard Discovery Workshop page.
