Effective Team Meetings: Keeping Discussions On Point

At the end of every work cycle, we have too many meetings. Some are important, but most are not. I hate meetings that have no point. Too many people feel they are powerful when holding a meeting. It is true that when someone calls a meeting that I am compelled to attend, the person has power over my time. However, I will only give them the power to use my time effectively. 

Meetings should be on-point and concise. The leaders should encourage discussion and debate but be focused enough to keep the discussions on point. Some teams I am part of have members who cannot stop talking and going off on a tangent because they feel or believe. These time wasters are an issue. If you “feel” or “believe” something is true, take the time to explore it and bring a concise summation of your research to the meeting. Unless it is a brain-storming session, the ramblings do not belong. This is ineffective, gives the unprepared power over my time, and does not belong in an effective team meeting. I’ve seen too many meetings devolve because the leader is either reluctant to address or fails to recognize this issue. It takes a creative participant to redirect the conversation.

Do not waste other people’s time. Come to a meeting prepared and ready to work. Expect your colleagues to do the same.

Just Be Better

Stay Healthy, Stay Strong.

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