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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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.