GREAT MEETINGS CREATE GREAT COMMUNICATION,

and VICE VERSA

Leadership, Team & Culture

John Cleese (Monty Python) captured the reasons many business meetings are ineffective in "Meetings, Bloody Meetings" (Trailer).

Here are 8 elements that I believe are critical to an effective meeting, which of course leads to better communication and ACTION.

1. Goals
Have a clear purpose for the meeting such as a decision to be made, problem to be understood or communication to be made. For the last one, be sure a meeting is truly warranted and beneficial.

2. Attendees
Be certain on who is required and who is not. Be certain they can attend before confirming the schedule.

3. Time & Location
Once attendees are clear the location and time of meeting can be established. Sometimes steps 2 & 3 are reversed but that depends upon situation, duration, and role-power.

4. Pre-Wire (Optional)
At times it is necessary to communicate with attendees and in advance to establish goals and understand potential areas of conflict and alignment. A strong pre-wire can shorten a meeting considerable.

5. Agenda & Timeline
Be thoughtful in the agenda and add timing to the steps. Less is usually better but in some cases providing latitude in timing may make more sense. Make sure you allow for an effective meeting that has clear results before making it shorter for time's sake alone.

6. Content & Information (Before, During, & After)
Know what information is to be shared, and HOW it will be shared. This could be printed, projected, or both. Also consider the value and risk in sharing before, during, and after.

7. 100% Inclusion
Again, depending on the type of meeting, strive to have 100% of the attendees in participate. You took them away from the work for a reasons, most likely their knowledge and ideas. Some DISC styles need to be asked for their opinion.

8. 100% Conclusion
When a decision is made, capture it and communicate it accordingly. If next steps and follow up are expected, set those expectations sooner than later.

Feel free to let me know your tips for great meetings.

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