The 30-second summary
- The Problem: Meetings often stall on low-impact details (e.g., "Radio buttons vs. Dropdowns").
- The Solution: ELMO (Enough! Let’s Move On).
- The Benefit: Increases decision velocity and empowers the team to self-correct unproductive tangents without blame.
The next time your team spends excessive cycles discussing should-be-quick decisions like “Radio buttons vs drop-down menu vs switch vs segmented control” try an ELMO method to get back to decision-making.
ELMO (Enough! Let’s Move On) is a cultural permission slip. It allows any team member to signal when a discussion has reached the point of diminishing returns, helping the group refocus on the primary agenda.
Method 1: Verbal Cue
I learned about the ELMO method at Google’s Area 120. Our lead software engineer proposed that we used a verbal cue to help ourselves move along whenever a discussion didn’t seem to be going anywhere. And after a bit of brainstorming, we agreed on the word ‘Grunching’ (think “crunch” plus “grunge” plus “grinch”). “Grunching” best described the feeling getting into the weeds of a decision and forgetting our purpose. Calling out “Hey everyone, we’re grunching” or just saying “Grunching!” – that was enough for the whole team to know that it was time to stop talking. Don’t feel creative? You can always say “ELMO”, but abstracting out the problem provides a bit of levity and can be a unique power word for your team. Take a cue from Anne Gibson and adopt your own term:
We call those conversations squirrels and anyone can interrupt by calling out a squirrel, which somehow feels so much better than yelling Elmo at each other. Anne Gibson
Using an made-up word like 'Grunching' or an oblique 'Squirrel' provides the necessary interruption with a layer of light-heartedness that prevents it from feeling like a shut-down.
Method 2: The Silent Signal
Don’t feel like using a playful code-word? Have a team that’s a bit quieter? Non-verbal ELMO might be better for you, just make sure your team is co-located and has easy visual contact.
How non-verbal ELMO works:
- Raise your hand
- Say nothing
- Everyone laughs with a bit of humility when they realize it’s time to stop talking and move on.
For teams that prefer a low-friction approach, a simple hand-raise acts as a visual reset. It pauses the verbal loop and diffuses tension with shared awareness.
Method 3: Tactical Artifacts
If you're on a team of “Agile Aficionados” and story sizing cards are part of your practice, then a set of ELMO cards will make your meetings better.
Ready to start? Print your own cards courtesy of Bright Pilots.
Pro-tips:
- Using these cards will take practice! Be ready to demonstrate.
- If you’ve got a lot of people on your video conferencing system you may need a meeting facilitator just to watch for cards.
Whether digital phone screens or physical printed cards, artifacts make the interruption objective. It’s not 'me' stopping 'you'; it’s the card stopping the cycle.
Method 4: The Visual Mascot
That’s right. Get a stuffed ELMO (the non-singing, non-tickling kind) and have it at your meeting. At each meeting, have an ELMO owner who’s responsible for Elmo and ELMO. If conversation on one point goes on too long, the ELMO owner lifts up the ELMO to indicate it’s time to move on.
Things to really think hard on:
- Secure team alignment before you show up with an Elmo plushie
- Take care to not purchase a walking, talking, or tickle-me Elmo
Designating an 'ELMO Owner' with a physical mascot creates a clear role for meeting facilitation. When Elmo goes up, the conversation moves forward.
Get started with any ELMO method
- Step 1: Socialize the Friction. Mention a recent meeting where you got stuck. "Hey team, we spent 20 minutes on [X] yesterday. How can we help each other catch those moments earlier?"
- Step 2: Choose the Medium. Match the method to your team’s personality (e.g., Playful → Grunching; Agile → Cards).
- Step 3: Model the Behavior. As a leader, be the first to "ELMO" yourself. When you realize you're rambling, say "Actually, ELMO on me. Let's move to the next item."
Meeting time is your team’s most expensive resource. By implementing an ELMO method, you aren't just cutting conversations short—you’re protecting your team’s energy for the work that actually matters.
Looking for more methods for better meetings? Read Priya Parker’s Art of Gathering.