By Romy Newman via theladders.com Article
Successful bosses run their most effective meetings exactly like this
“1. HAVE A CLEAR MEETING OBJECTIVE …
2. WRITE AN AGENDA – AND KEEP IT SIMPLE …
3. KEEP IT SHORT …
4. BOOK A COMFORTABLE ROOM
… with chairs at the table for everyone. Seriously. If people feel uncomfortable or are marginalized to ‘back row seats,’ …
5. CHOOSE THE RIGHT SEAT
If it’s a meeting that’s around a long table, as the leader, you should sit in the middle, not at the head. …
6. BRING BRIBES—EHM, SNACKS …
7. PHONES DOWN, HEADS UP …
8. MAKE SURE ALL KEY STAKEHOLDERS CAN AND WILL ATTEND
… Confirm RSVPs for everyone, and send a meeting reminder the day before.
9. KEEP THE TONE PURPOSEFUL BUT LIGHT …
10. STAY ON TRACK
If someone tries to take the meeting in another direction (and they always do), say, ‘That’s a great thought. Let’s schedule a separate meeting to discuss it.’
11. MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS HEARD
Pay attention to people’s reactions to the discussion. … If someone is being drowned out, call attention to them and give them the floor.
12. ELICIT PARTICIPATION FROM EVERYONE …
13. TAKE GROUP NOTES ON A WHITEBOARD
If you jot down people’s thoughts, it gives them weight—and it also helps bring participants along to a conclusion or solution with you.
14. BLATANTLY WRAP IT UP
Recap key findings and next steps. Reiterate how the group has successfully accomplished the task at hand. …
15. THANK EVERYONE FOR THEIR TIME …
16. END FIVE MINUTES EARLY
If you can wrap up the meeting 5 minutes before the scheduled time, people will LOVE you. …
17. SEND A MEETING RECAP, NOTES, AND FOLLOW-UP
That day or the next day at the very latest. Make sure it is clear who is responsible for what follow-up and by when. And if you need a follow-up meeting, send the invite for it immediately. It gives people a sense that the project is progressing.”
