HOW TO HOLD A PRODUCTIVE MEETING

• SCHEDULE THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF TIME: Don’t simply schedule a standard amount of time – consider how much time you need and work to fit the discussion/decisions to that time frame.

• INVITE THE RIGHT PEOPLE: Who needs to participate and who simply needs a follow-up summary instead of attending? Think about the purpose of the meeting and select attendees based on what you wish to accomplish.

• HAVE AN AGENDA: Craft an agenda and distribute it before the meeting. Allow others to wrap their heads around what will be discussed. Be aware that some will read it and others will not. That’s okay because those who needed it to come prepared will read it before the meeting.

• DOCUMENT THE DECISIONS AND THE ITEMS TO REVISIT: I love to summarize the agreements reached and the actions we need to take at the end of each meeting. If the actions are not assigned, go ahead and get that done before you adjourn.

• INCLUDE ANY PENDING ITEMS IN THE NEXT MEETING’S AGENDA: Prepare to get a progress report on any assigned items either before or during the next meeting.

• CELEBRATE THE WINS: Make time on the agenda to celebrate what is going well, what is ahead of schedule, and even reaching agreement on decisions. I even like to celebrate the fact that we conducted an open, honest discussion where everyone felt heard.