Effective meetings achieve a desired outcome. They can leave participants energized and feeling that something significant was accomplished. With heavy workloads, you don’t want to waste anyone’s limited time — especially yours. You can learn how to run successful ones that use time wisely, accomplish your objectives, and leave participants satisfied.
10 Tips for Effective Meetings
- Establish clear objectives
- Have participants fully prepare in advance
- Create effective agendas — and distribute them in advance
- Keep it interesting
- Include the right people
- Foster open communication
- Encourage idea sharing
- Avoid and handle interruptions
- Optimize scheduling
- Follow up — thank attendees and explain next steps
When you run more effective meetings, you use time wisely, boost morale, and get things done!
In 2021, NPR staffers published, “Better Meetings Are Possible. Here’s How,” a compilation of tips for effective meetings while working from home, as many people began remote work during the pandemic.
They suggest you ask yourself the following questions as you start to plan your meeting:
- What problem are you trying to solve?
- What outcome do you hope to achieve?
- Who needs to be there?
They also shared general reminders, like a meeting is never the goal, but rather its purpose is to achieve goals, and meetings should have clear objectives for bringing people together. “The work you put in ahead of a meeting is every bit as important as anything that happens once it begins. A little thoughtfulness and planning will make meetings easier on yourself, and your colleagues.” Read More