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Meeting Smarter: Effective Meeting Management for Managers
How many people do you know who enjoy attending meetings? Probably not many. Most people see them as a burden — time pulled away from tasks they’d rather be doing. That perception often stems from experiences with unnecessary, long, or unfocused meetings. When run effectively, however, attendees see meetings as a valuable use of their time.
Meetings are necessary in almost every business. For example, in the restaurant industry, a pre-shift meeting allows the chef to share and let the waitstaff sample the day’s special, ensuring they can describe it accurately to customers. Construction workers frequently hold quick stand-up meetings to discuss the day’s tasks. Project managers rely on meetings to initiate and drive projects forward. Despite their importance, poorly managed meetings often waste both time and money. As a manager, it falls on you to ensure meetings are purposeful, timely, and involve the right people.
Be inclusive
During a meeting, ensure everyone has a chance to contribute; otherwise, why are they there? Encourage participation from those who might not typically speak up. Foster inclusivity by treating meetings as opportunities for sharing ideas rather than just a platform for you to talk. If your intention is to deliver a speech, consider sending an email instead.
