Leaders lead effective meetings - here's how
So much time is wasted in poorly led meetings. (Don’t get me started on that.) One way to boost your leadership communication is to improve your leadership at meetings. Here are five simple tips that will create result-oriented meetings:
Start the meeting with a purpose
Clarify the reason for the meeting. Is it to provide information, make decisions, discussion only and decisions later?
Use an agenda
This is a good way to keep yourself and everyone else focused. If you start a meeting without an agenda, create one. Working with the group, make a list of what needs to be covered and assign a time for each item. When you stick to an agenda you will lead people in meetings to stay on task. It helps you stay focused, too! And send the agenda out in advance so people can be prepared when they get to the meeting.
Use time effectively
That means start on time; end on time. It is amazing to me how many times I have attended meetings that start 10-15 minutes late. This is incredibly costly in wasted staff time for those who wait. Change your organization’s “time culture” by starting on time.
Direct attention back to the topic when it strays (and it will)
A good technique is to briefly summarize what has been said on the topic. This is also a good to do when people give too many details or repeat what they have already said. While observing meetings for my clients to improve meeting effectiveness I often have heard the same point made by the same person 3-4 times.
Control the flow
It’s normal for side conversations to start during meetings. My favorite response when this happens is to say: “We have two meetings going on here. Let’s have one meeting.” That gets everyone‘s attention back on the person currently speaking.
What problems do you have in meetings?
Comment below for feedback and suggestions to handle the problem. Share you thoughts.