So, I just sat through a meeting about—wait for it—how to have better meetings. Yup that’s right, the irony was thick, and coffee was thin.
But instead of staring out the window, I paid attention and picked up a few gems to make meetings more effective – allow me to share.
8 Tips for More Effective Meetings
- Have a Useful Agenda
Create a road map for your meeting with enough detail to explain the item, keeping it at a high level. An agenda that includes timing for each item helps to focus everyone on the topic at hand, and stay on task.
- Start On Time (Yes, Really)
If you start five minutes late every meeting, congrats, you’ve lost a whole week of productivity over the year. Plus, it’s like telling people their time isn’t valuable—and that’s the fastest way to lose their attention.
- Invite Only the Essentials
Don’t invite everyone “just in case.” If people don’t need to be there, let them live their best email-checking life somewhere else.
- Assign Roles, Not Just Seats
The meeting’s not a spectator sport. Assign roles—facilitator, note-taker, timekeeper, snack-bringer (vital)—so everyone’s engaged and knows their part.
- Don't Solve World Peace
Meetings should move things forward, not solve every problem in the universe. Stick to topics that are relevant to the discussion and save the other stuff for later.
- Limit the Recap Rabbit Hole
If someone’s late or didn’t read the pre-read, that’s on them. Don’t spend 10 minutes bringing them up to speed while the rest of the team zones out. Summarize fast or let them catch up on their own.
- Nix the Meeting Where an Email Would Do
This one’s easy. If the info can be sent in an email, don’t call a meeting. Seriously. Don't.
- Make Action Items Actually... Actionable
End every meeting with clear next steps, assigned owners, and deadlines. Otherwise, you'll just have to meet again to discuss why nothing happened.
In short: effective meetings should move things forward, not make people contemplate their life choices.
Keep it simple, keep it focused, and get ‘r done.