Effective meetings are fun, high-energy occasions for team members to collaborate and solve problems. Sadly, far too many meetings we attend seem to be the opposite (Mondy & Noe 2005). The worst meetings drag on for hours, leaving everyone exhausted and frustrated. How meetings are planned and run differs. The best managers recognize the value of these occasions and the effort required to produce a successful event.
(Source: Domanska, 2021)
Why have a meeting anyway? Why indeed?
Many major problems are handled satisfactorily by a single person who consults no one. Many more are settled by the use of a letter, a memo, a phone call, or a simple conversation between two people. Five minutes spent alone with six people can sometimes be more useful and fruitful than a half-hour meeting with them all together (Jay, 2009).
Skills for facilitating a productive team meeting.
Be prepared
Check that all equipment is working, go through the agenda, and make sure that any links or outside resources are easy to find so that seeking them does not cause a delay. By distributing the agenda ahead of time and ensuring that each participant understands what will be discussed at the meeting.
Manage expectations.
What kind of outcomes would the meeting produce? The meeting should be designed so that everyone is engaged and focused on having a discussion. When expectations are set and followed, not only does it keep the team engaged, but it also helps the meeting flow.
Have a Positive Attitude About Meeting.
Meetings are the single most important thing a manager can do to improve his or her team's performance. Managing isn't about sending emails from behind closed doors, it's leadership showtime. To achieve significant results, solve problems, make decisions, inform, inspire, collaborate, and motivate, managers must work with people and get them together in a room or on a conference call now and then.
Flavor It Up
Make the format is more interesting. Here are some ideas to make team meetings more interesting.
- Invite special guests to speak.
- Watch a Ted Talk related to the meeting.
- Something to rejoice about
- Allow others to share their opinions.
- Change meeting location.
- Organize a team-building exercise.
Follow-Up
Keep track of action items and ensure that people do what they say they will. It's frustrating to appear in the next meeting and find out that half the team didn't bother to do the last session. Before the meeting follow up and hold people accountable for their obligations.
(Source: Bishop House, 2020)Google and Apple are both known for not only technological advancements but also for how they hold meetings. Meetings held here are not only more effective, but they also benefit the employees.
ABC Private Limited has productive meetings to recognize accomplishments, resolve problems, and provide information about new developments at work.
Conclusion
Meetings can only be effective if all employees are engaged, and are excited about what they are learning. The aim is to bring team members together and push them towards their highest potential. Meetings can be a great opportunity to utilize your planning skills in new and creative ways.
References
Jay, A., 2009. How To Run a Meeting. [online] Harvard Business Review. Available at: <https://hbr.org/1976/03/how-to-run-a-meeting> [Accessed 12 August 2021].
Mondy, R. W. & Neo, R. M., 2005. Human Resource Management. fun Jersey: Pearson Education.
Bishop House, 2020. Effective Meetings. [video] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fb-6-xEP7UY&t=404s> [Accessed 10 August 2021].
Domanska, A., 2021. [image] Industry Leaders Magazine. Available at: <https://www.industryleadersmagazine.com/top-leadership-qualities-that-all-great-leaders-have/> [Accessed 10 August 2021].
Here are some of our top tips for leading effective meetings.
ReplyDelete*Entitle a Meeting Leader*State the Purpose *Put Together an Agenda *Carefully Consider the Attendees *Identify a Note-Taker *Change Up the Routine *Be Flexible*Allow Time for Brainstorming *Let Other People Talk*End the Meeting with Action Items *Get Input From Your Team.
Thanks for your feedback.
DeleteA team meeting is a way to ensure your staff and management teams are aligned, that no obstacles stand in the way of company progress, and to create an open forum for dialogue and discussion. At their worst, team meetings can frustrate and cause more problems than they solve.
ReplyDeleteThere may be some restrictions with regard to team meetings efficiency however, as an organization the super process of team meetings is compulsory.
Thanks for your feedback.
DeleteTeam meeting is a one of communication mechanism that organizations that frequently use. Organization conduct due to few reasons.
ReplyDelete1. Information sharing purpose.
2. Decision Making / Problem solving purpose.
3. Focusing on the above both purposes.
But to make the team meetings productive, there should be certain ground rules to adhere. Starting with a clear purpose, be punctual with the start & end times, Assign specific roles and responsibilities during the meeting And follow the agenda are some specific value adding factors for an effective meeting. Also effective meetings encourage the organization behaviour to align with good discipline. Thanks for sharing this Nadeeshan.
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DeleteGroup meetings are an essential for any business. It is important for employees to know and understand what is going on in the company and what they are expected to experience in order for the company to be successful. It is one of the best ways to build a culture of continuous development. Thankyou for sharing this interesting article Nadeeshan.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your feedback.
DeleteSetting up skills to facilitate productive team meetings will make meetings effective and high energy for team members to collaborate on problem solving so that they can make the most of the time that team members have spent more productively / not wasted.
ReplyDeleteMeetings are one of the most effective methods for upper management to keep track of the company's growth and position. Employees gather to discuss ideas, receive feedback, and learn from one another. Effective team meetings will assist your team in creating fantastic work and achieving the end goals much more rapidly. It will also assist you in showing your leadership skill.
ReplyDeletegreat job Nadeeshan.
Thanks for your feedback.
DeleteWell-run meetings that are helping to increase engagement, collaboration, accountability, and personal development. However, not all leaders are equipped with the necessary skills to run an effective meeting. Fortunately, this is something that can be learned and honed through training and practice. You have successfully reached your intended audience. The article is well-written and detailed.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your feedback.
DeleteInteresting article Nadeeshan, ineffective meetings may persist because meeting leaders haven't observed any indicators that their meetings aren't great or they need not observed any samples of great meetings. Friman (2014) defined a very confident presenter who doesn't practice his or her presentation skills because the presentations always go well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your feedback.
DeleteEffective meetings are interesting events where team members work together to make decisions or solve problems. It is important that develop the discipline to plan and lead meetings that people value and push initiatives forward. An opportunity to meet and work with your team is a horrible thing to waste.
ReplyDeleteAgreed with you Nadeeshan. Effective meetings are interesting, high-energy events where team members work together to make decisions or solve problems. Unfortunately, too many of the meetings we attend seem to be just the opposite. The worst meetings bring time to a crawl leaving everyone mentally and emotionally exhausted and more than a little bit frustrated. The difference is in how the meetings are planned and run.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your feedback.
DeleteEfficacious meetings involve team members working together to solve problems or make decisions. Many of the meetings we participate in seem to be a complete reversal. During the worst meetings, everyone becomes mentally and emotionally exhausted and frustrated.
ReplyDeleteSo through your blog, you have detail-wise described the skills for facilitating a productive team meeting. It's more valuable for our day-to-day life.
Thanks for sharing..
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DeleteEmployees meet with their managers each week to talk about all aspects of work — not just the work itself. These meetings are extremely beneficial. In addition to building a better relationship with their managers, employees are able to share ideas and concerns.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your feedback.
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