How to Effectively Manage a Meeting (4 Quick Tips)
“Most meetings are too long, too dull, too unproductive.” - Lois Wyse
She isn’t wrong. A lot of meetings are ineffective and boring. They only exist to make the person who organized it feel like they’re doing something.
It doesn’t have to be this way, though. When managed well, meetings can be incredibly powerful tools. They can impart wisdom, improve staff morale, and help leaders make decisions.
If you would like to make sure your meetings are more like for latter and less like the former, just follow these four tips:
Make Sure It Has a Purpose
Don’t organize a meeting just to have a meeting. If you’re going to ask your staff to make time in their day for a phone call or a trip to the conference room, ensure you have something important to tell them or discuss.
2. Make the Objective Clear
Your employees need to know what your meeting is all about. I recommend including an agenda in the notes section of the calendar invitation. You may also provide a short summary at the start of the meeting.
3. Be Aware of the Time
As your meeting progresses, keep one eye on the clock. If time begins to run out, make an effort to steer the conversation back to the most important points.
If you need more time, ask people if they can stay late. If they say they can’t, respect that.
4. End It Early If Possible
If you have discussed everything you need to cover and you still have 30 minutes to spare, don’t feel like you need to stretch your meeting out. Let people leave early. They have things to do - and, believe me, they’ll thank you for getting the time back!
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About The Author
Emily Sander is an ICF-certified leadership coach with more than 15 years of experience in the business world and the author of Hacking Executive Leadership. She’s been featured in several print publications, online articles, and podcasts, including CEO Today Magazine, Leading to Fulfillment, and Leadership Powered by Common Sense.
Emily has a passion for helping business leaders reach their full potential. Go here to read her story from seasoned executive to knowledgeable coach. If you want to send Emily a quick message, then visit her contact page here.