Meeting Tips For Leaders

There are many types of meetings that leaders usually have. There are team meetings, meeting with direct reports, 1:1 meetings, meetings with clients, meetings with the board, etc. If there is something to talk about with someone or with a group of people, it becomes a meeting. While the different types of meetings have different nuances that’ll help leaders make the best of the time spent having them, this post focuses on tips that’ll help leaders make the best of team meetings.

In our current work climate, virtual meetings have become a normal feature in the world of work. People have often asked if there are special things they need to do in order to facilitate productive meetings. My answer to this would be a simple no and that is because you do not need to do anything special in order to run productive meetings (whether in person or virtually). What you need to do is to become more intentional and deliberate; nothing out of the ordinary.

Be intentional about the purpose of the meeting and clear about the key things that’ll be discussed. Next, be deliberate with your engagement during the meeting. Engagement plays a key role in determining how productive your meeting will be. Since you cannot determine what will be said by everyone or how everyone will behave, you can work on the one thing that’ll help you respond appropriately; engagement. Listed below are a few tips that’ll help you to engage deliberately so that your meeting with your team is productive.

Meeting Tips For Team Meetings

1. Don’t be quick to speak. Be more eager to listen instead so that you can learn more.
2. Give everyone a chance to speak. It creates a sense of belonging among team members.
3. Don’t always nod your head ‘yes’. It might send a wrong message.
4. Don’t shake your head no. This might give the wrong impression.
5. Recap to clarify. Ensure you heard right and that you understand what the speaker is saying by repeating what the speaker said.
6. Ask questions. If you are not clear about something, ask the person who just spoke about it. Don’t make any assumptions.
7. Really pay attention. Get rid of any form of distraction and be present. Ensure you listen with your ears and your mind.

Be sure to use these tips and more importantly, be consistent in practicing them.

Here is an infographic of the tips above.