Who's leading this one?

The team is mostly here, a few chairs still empty. I'm just waiting, looking at the agenda on the screen. There's that familiar pause before things officially start, where you wonder who's going to take the lead this time.

The quiet before the facilitator speaks

It's not about capability. Everyone here knows what they're doing. It's more about the energy and focus needed for the next hour. The last person who ran it did a great job, but they seemed a bit drained by the end.You can feel the group's mood. Some people are ready to dive in, others are finishing up a last task. Choosing the right person feels like matching that energy, not just rotating a name.

Thinking about the team, not just the task

I glance around. Sarah has been quiet lately, but she's incredibly organized. Mark is always engaged, but he can dominate the conversation. It's a balance between giving someone a chance to step up and making sure the meeting stays on track for everyone.There's no perfect answer. The goal is just to get through the planning smoothly, with everyone feeling heard. The person leading sets that tone from the first minute.

A simple rotation doesn't always fit

We tried a strict rotation once. It felt fair on paper, but sometimes the person whose turn it was just wasn't in the right headspace that day.

Sometimes it's about growth

Giving the quieter member a turn to facilitate can be good for them. It's a small nudge, not a pressure.