By: J. Mason
Meeting request; accept or decline? Accept.
Annual staff meeting request; accept or decline? Accept.
How many of these do you get a week? How many do you see a month? If the answer is too many than you’re either not digging hard enough for purpose from them, or you need to have a talk with the organizers.
[related: Turn Your Afternoon Into a Sprint, Not a Marathon]
There is a true purpose, hopefully, for every meeting that is organized. And while you may not know the purpose of your presence up front, it’s best to be polite and try to attend. You’re included for a reason, and whether it’s for your face, ingenuity, or because you’re with management, make sure to bring your brain and be present.
Meetings can be a burden, if you let them, but they can also be a productive part of the day if timed right and not dragged out. I found some great information on the four characteristics of decisive meetings from a study conducted by Charan (2006) for the Harvard Business Review. The author of the post, Steve Nguyen, shares the best ways to conduct productive meetings is by incorporating these 4 elements:
- Open – an outcome is not predetermine; think of a brainstorming session.
- Candid – allow and encourage workers to air their conflicts.
- Informal – light chatter and project review; an open area for spontaneity to arise.
- Closure – at the end of these meetings people leave knowing what they are expected to do next.
So, Â if you feel your weekly meetings aren’t hitting these marks maybe it’s time to re-evaluate. Look at what you’re doing and discussing. Some meetings are unavoidable, but there’s a reason behind that. Don’t lose yourself in requests, find a purpose and roll it into your everyday.
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