Why Does the Word “Meeting” Make you Frustrated?

Leadership and Marketing Update from H. LEINER & CO.

It’s easy to get frustrated when meetings are scheduled for a certain time but start late, go over time, don’t have a clear plan, too many people are involved in the decision-making process, or nothing is accomplished after the time spent at the meeting.

If you relate to any of those issues, here are 3 elements that should be implemented at every single meeting:

1. Set the agenda: Without a clear purpose planned in advance, there is no point in conducting the meeting. The people planning the meeting shouldn’t be the only ones who know the agenda though – everyone at the meeting has to know why they are there. Write a list of points to cover on a whiteboard, hand out sheets with the topics before the meeting, or give each person a summary of the list at the meeting, so everyone knows the direction the meeting will take.
2. Start and end on time: If the person in charge of the meeting shows up on time, everyone else will follow their lead. When a meeting is scheduled for 8:00, show up at 8:00, not 8:01. Starting on time will also allow the meeting to end on time. Setting a specific end time before the meeting begins causes everyone to work hard during the meeting time to figure out a solution to the problem you’re facing, without wasting time.
3. End with an action plan: The last few minutes of the meeting should end with a clear understanding of who will implement the decision discussed. Without that clarity, the entire meeting is for nothing because no concrete action will happen. Instead of each person assuming a different person will get it done, make sure everyone knows their responsibility.

Making sure that every meeting has these 3 components will make your meetings much more productive and enjoyable.

(The New York Times)