Meetings = time wasters… At least this seems to be the case when you look back at what each meeting achieved. There always seems to be a “Debbie-downer” in each meeting, or off-topic tangents. If this is the case at your company, it’s time to do a complete overhaul on your meeting structures!
Here are the top 4 tips from Summit that help us to run our meetings more concisely and more efficiently.
1. HAVE AN AGENDA
If there is no agenda, there is no meeting! Plain and simple. Weekly meetings don’t have to happen on weeks where they aren’t directly needed. If there isn’t a solid reason for the meeting that can be explained in writing, then reschedule it or call it a “brainstorm session”. Do your team a favor during brainstorming sessions: order lunch.
2. CALL OUT TANGENTS
Literally, call them out. Upon recognizing a discussion that is off topic, call out the word “TANGENT”. Be sure to explain it to the team first, and then turn it into a contest. Keep it lighthearted, remember that it is a silly note in the meeting that realigns the priorities. Most importantly, it cuts off the time-wasting tangent.
3. RATE THE QUALITY
This tip was newer to the Summit meeting structure, but honestly opens up many productive discussions! At the end of the meeting, each person rates the meeting from 1-10, giving reasons behind their score. By opening this up to all team members present, people are less likely to walk out and vent about their topic that didn’t come up. Including a meeting rating opens up the floor to constructive criticism and to complete honesty.
4. LISTEN & TAKE NOTES
Listen to your team. Be inspired. If you don’t have anything to contribute, think of “outside the box” solutions while they explain their department’s dilemmas. Listen to the ideas they have, write them down. It could become your greatest opportunity for growth at a later date.
Summit has been working towards a stronger sense of team culture, awareness of the individual, and a renewed work environment. We are constantly learning what works, and ditching what doesn’t work! If you picture yourself working at a company like Summit, head on over to our company page and contact us.
