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Here's a list of tips that'll have you running work sessions like a pro:

• [ ] Assemble your dream team: Grab the CEO (that's you!), Head of Sales, Head of Marketing, Head of Product, and Head of Customer Service. These are your key players. No benchwarmers allowed.
• [ ] Keep it small: Don't go inviting the whole company. Remember, the magic number is four sidekicks. Trust me, the fewer cooks in the kitchen, the better the meal.
• [ ] Embrace the Chuck Jones' "Yes" Session: No "no's" allowed here. Let's keep it positive, supportive, and affirmative. This isn't a whine-fest, so save the negativity for another time.
• [ ] Label, label, label: You know, that nifty little technique from Chris Voss? Start "It seems like"-ing and "It sounds like"-ing all over the place. Empathy is the name of the game, my friend.
• [ ] Ask tough questions: Channel your inner investigative journalist and poke holes in your current strategy. Be ruthless, but remember, you're just doing research, not making decisions.
• [ ] Create a safe space: As the CEO and facilitator, your job is to get people to open up. So put on your best Oprah impression and make sure everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts.
• [ ] Listen up: When someone else is talking, zip it. Let them share their ideas without interrupting or jumping in with your own thoughts. You might actually learn something.
• [ ] Be flexible: Strategies are like play-dough. You have to be willing to mold and reshape them as you learn new information. So, go with the flow and be open to change.

Here’s what your work session should look like:

1. Set the stage: First, make sure everyone knows the purpose of this little get-together. We here to identify holes, challenges, and bottlenecks in our current strategy. Something isn’t working and it’s our job to identify every possible cause.
2. Time is of the essence: This work session has a time limit. Two hours is a good length. It’s long enough to actually get people into the grove of things without being mind numbingly so. Just remember the clock is ticking, and so is everyone's patience. As facilitator it’s up to you to keep everything moving forward and on task.
3. Define the rules: You're the boss, so lay down the law. No idea or concern is too ridiculous, and no judgment is allowed. Explain what the “Yes Session” is and make sure everyone is aligned.
4. One at a time, please: Encourage everyone to speak, but not all at once. We don't need a cacophony of voices trying to out-shout each other.
5. Capture EVERYTHING: Document every idea, even the ones that seem utterly absurd. Use a whiteboard for simple conversational stuff. But you should use an app or software to transcribe the meeting. We want everyone involved so no one person should be too busy writing to contribute.
6. Stay on track: Keep the conversation focused on the topic at hand. We don't need to hear about Tim from Accounting's weekend escapades, thank you very much.
7. Encourage participation: Is someone being shy? Gently coax them out of their shell. Everyone's opinion is valuable, even if they think it's not.
8. Wrap it up: Once you've exhausted all your ideas (and your team's energy), bring the session to a close. Congratulate yourselves on a job well done.