Could a great or effective meeting really be attainable? I’ve asked many employees questions to get to the root of what makes them hate meetings.
I could have read the info in less time than it took the ‘presenter’ to share the information and they clearly did not want my input.
Leaders give the impression that they want input, but then just do what they want anyway.
The overall problem is not meetings themselves; the problem lies in misunderstanding the overall purpose and value of meetings.
A successful meeting has a clear purpose.
Encourage participation and create a space that makes it challenging to zone out.
Effective meetings provide a safe space for divergent thinking.
This will help to build trust in the room.
Be inclusive by providing opportunities for everyone to share their input.
Keep the agenda simple.
Stay on topic.
All meetings should be working meetings, where everyone can be an active participant and work towards producing a product. That product might be a new goal, a readjusted goal, a collaborative plan, document outline, new procedure, or a decision.
Whatever the product, all the people chosen to be at the meeting, should be active participants in the development of the final product. Ideas should be presented and evaluated in light of a common objective. Employees should all feel heard and valued, and most importantly, everyone should be clear about the role they have to play.
Effective meetings keep attendees engaged and produce real, and shareable results. They’ll produce better work, and you’ll have more engaged participants. It’s a win-win!
