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How to lead a meeting?

I know there are many tips for efficient meetings, but I want to hear the experience you have. Even if you do not lead meetings, what are the things that you like, the things that you think make a pleasant meeting (well, at least bearable ;)).

If you lead meetings, is it natural for you, or you have to prepare mentally?

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FairyGirlGemma · F

Provide snacks and alcohol.
Always works.

sumojumo · 36-40, M

@FairyGirlGemma :D that makes sense, yes

sumojumo · 36-40, M

@FairyGirlGemma Probably the efficiency is a bit of an issue, but who cares when you have booze

FairyGirlGemma · F

@sumojumo Exactly!!

Picklebobble2 · 56-60, M

Always have an agenda. And encourage those present to add to it. PROVIDED it's connected to the topic under discussion.

Hold your meeting in a well lit and well ventilated room.

Supplies: Should go without saying that folk bring a pen and something to record their responsibilities but as the saying goes, there'll always be one. So make sure you have paper and pens available. A flipchart with something to stick sheets to a wall is also probably a good idea.

Any group gathering runs the risk of 'diverting to other subjects unconnected'.
So focus on the issue and be prepared to tell others present the same if they start going off on an unconnected tangent.

Take minutes. And ensure everybody present gets a copy asap after the meeting.

At the end of each subject under discussion get them as a group to agree on the points discussed and agreed course of action to take. And if possible, who is responsible for what and an expected completion date.

revenant · F

make sure everybody wears masks, keep 2 meters apart or stay home and use zoom

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sumojumo · 36-40, M

@revenant fun fun fun

revenant · F

@sumojumo [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDHErN3dOkc]

meetings are fun fun fun

sumojumo · 36-40, M

@revenant this will be the intro to our next meeting, everyone will LOVE IT :D

ButterRobot · 51-55, M

it depends on the sort of meeting i want. If its a brainstorming meeting then i work to draw people out. If its just a status meeting short and sweet.

I think its important to go around the room at the end and make sure everyone had the opportunity to speak.

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sumojumo · 36-40, M

@ButterRobot :D well, at least you have a very sound basis for your work. Great leading is also a bit of an art form, improvisation, and good knowledge of human psychology.

Unfortunately I do not have many meetings with my staff, I am struggling more with meetings which involves people from many organizations. The power play there is a bit different since there is no hierarchy and you have to be more careful when giving very direct "instructions". That is what I find hard.

ButterRobot · 51-55, M

@sumojumo ahh...so you have to be a politician. Thats one of the more challenging scenarios to deal with.

sumojumo · 36-40, M

@ButterRobot politician is a great word to describe it :)

malizz · 70-79, M

You have to set a framework so that people know what to expect in terms of time and business to be covered. Ideally everyone, not just the more assertive, should have the chance to air their views without being bogged down in disagreement or straying from the point. You can't please everyone all the time but they should feel that they have had a fair hearing.

sumojumo · 36-40, M

@malizz that is a great point - the very assertive people have it easy in such meetings, but if you overlook the others you loose a lot of great ideas and it also makes them feel that these are useless meetings.

SW-User

Keep it short
Lead it. Dont let others take over.

Moonpenny · F

Don't go on forever, keep to your agenda and don't let anyone take over. There's usually at least one who likes the sound of their own voice in my experience.
Good luck ☺️

sumojumo · 36-40, M

@Moonpenny thank you :), I need the luck part

Moonpenny · F

@sumojumo You'll be fine once you get into it. Start strong! 😊

ozgirl512 · 26-30, F

The bottom line is everyone would prefer to be somewhere else... I(was) in aviation and the meetings there were good... Quick and to the points, responsibilities assigned and information exchanged.... No idle chatter or game playing

Starcrossed · 41-45, F

1.) Put everyone on mute from the get go. Let them unmute themselves.

2.) Wait 5 mins to start. There will always be 2-3 asshats that come late and force you to start over.

malizz · 70-79, M

@Starcrossed Any coming late gets told we're onto any other business.

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