The importance of conducting meetings well cannot be understated. Running meetings effectively is a critical factor in the overall success of an organisation. Well run meetings provide the opportunity for teams to come together, share ideas, make decisions and feel connected with each other and the rest of the organisation. On the contrary, poorly managed meetings can feel like a waste of time and negatively affect the mood in the workplace.
With so much of our time spent in meetings, in this article we will explore the impact of great and not-so-great meetings, best practices for great meetings and whether we may be having too many meetings in our organisations.
The Impact of Great Meetings vs Not-So-Great Meetings
Great meetings have a positive impact on individuals and organisations. They can lead to:
- Improved communication and collaboration
- Better decision-making
- Improved team morale
- Closer working relationships and trust among colleagues
On the other hand, poorly run meetings have a negative impact on both the organisation and its employees and can lead to:
- Decreased productivity and wasted time
- Frustration among attendees
- Loss of engagement and focus
- Reduced trust and cooperation within teams
Do We Have Too Many Meetings?
For lots of people, especially in more senior roles, it can feel like they are just running from one meeting to another. On the other hand people in less senior roles might only have a couple of meetings a week in their diaries, these are likely to be team meetings and one-to-ones with their line managers.
Team meetings and one-to-one are arguably the most important meetings to foster trust, engagement and good communication. Leaders should be reluctant to cancel these meetings.
Other meetings may be less crucial and employees should be empowered to seek clarity on the purpose of a meeting they aren’t sure if they need to attend. If they believe their attendance isn’t required, or their input can be provided in another way, they should be empowered to politely decline the invitation. People are much more likely to be willing to attend a meeting (and actively participate) if they know it will be run well, and their contribution will be valuable.
Take Time for Reflection
After running a meeting, take some time to think about what went well and what could have been improved. Think about gathering feedback from attendees and use their comments to make changes that will improve future meetings. Some points to consider about might include:
- Were the objectives met?
- Was the meeting well-structured and focused?
- Did everyone participate?
- Was the meeting conducive to decision-making?
- Were action items assigned and followed up on?
By evaluating these factors, you can ensure that your meetings are effective, productive and beneficial to your organisation.
Conclusion
Running great meetings is vital to the success of an organisation. By understanding the importance of meeting effectiveness and implementing best practices, businesses can create a more productive, happy, and people-centric work environment. Recognising the impact of good and bad meetings, and assessing whether we have too many meetings will contribute to the overall effectiveness and success of your organisation.
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