Do you dread meetings because they are unproductive? Do you feel you have or attend meeting after meeting and there is more talk then action as a result? If so, keep reading. I am the master of hosting and attending meetings because I know how to keep the agenda moving and how to execute actionable items.
If you want to make a meeting productive then keep your eye on the final prize. How? Draw or write down verbal bubbles. Use your cell phone to capture this process, or at least the end result, so you understand and recall the discussion and then write down your actionable plan off of the drawing or the verbal bubbles.
These picture cues do make a huge difference to recalling an actual conversation versus simply reading notes.
You also need to consider aggressively vetting everyone’s input in a meeting. Ideas a great but they don’t work 100% of the time. Vetting ideas and input saves money and embarrassment should a product or service not function properly right out of the gate. You can also use this tool to politely show an employee why something will not work opposed to simply saying ‘no’ to an idea. Ask all the questions right up front when it comes to implementing the idea- this will give you and the employees a realistic perspective as to what work has to go into even dreaming up the full process to support an idea.
Finally, keep the meeting within the scheduled time frame. If you go too long then people will tune you out. Being on time says something as to how your time is valued and how you value other people’s time.
Until tomorrow,
Velma Trayham
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