Who's going to start?

We were all in the grid, muted, waiting. The agenda was up on the screen, but no one had taken the lead yet. It was that familiar, slightly awkward silence where everyone is just a little too polite to jump in first.

The Unspoken Question

I could see faces on the call, some looking down, others sipping coffee. We all knew someone needed to kick things off, but nominating a person felt too direct, like picking someone for a chore. The pause stretched just a beat too long, and the energy started to feel a bit heavy.It wasn't about capability; everyone on the call was more than qualified. It was more about not wanting to step on toes or assume authority. In that quiet moment, the simple act of choosing who speaks first felt oddly significant.

A Neutral Way Forward

Then someone—I think it was Sam—just said, "Should we spin for it?" It was such a simple suggestion, but it immediately cut through the tension. It wasn't a decision made by seniority or by the loudest voice. It was just chance.There was a collective, almost audible sigh of relief. No one had to be put on the spot or volunteer themselves. The wheel became this neutral third party that made the choice for us, and we could all accept its outcome without any second-guessing.

After the Spin

The person it landed on gave a small laugh and just started talking. They introduced the first agenda item, and just like that, we were moving. The meeting found its rhythm almost instantly.It reminded me that sometimes the biggest hurdle in teamwork isn't the work itself, but navigating the unspoken social layer. A little bit of randomness can be a surprisingly graceful tool for coordination.