Making Meetings Productive

Meetings, Meetings, Meetings – many leaders and most of the people they lead say that they spend too much time in meetings, and that most meetings are a waste of time.  One reason is that leaders often are not clear on the purpose of the meeting they are leading. 

This doesn’t have to be so.  In his book, Death by Meeting, Patrick Lencioni lists four types of meetings, the time required for each, the purpose and format of each and the keys to success for each.  Common sense leaders conduct each of these four types of meetings. 

I've captured the essence of Mr. Lencioni's advice and reduced it to a few bullet points below.  Take a look.  I bet these common sense ideas can help you conduct better meetings with the people you lead.

Daily Check In Meeting

• Time required: Five minutes
• Purpose: Share daily activities and schedules
• Keys to success: 1) Stand up.  2) Keep it administrative.  3) Don’t cancel – even when some people cannot attend.

Weekly Tactical Meeting

• Time required: 45 – 90 minutes
• Purpose: Review weekly activities and performance vs. objectives.  Resolve tactical issues
• Keys to success: 1) Focus on tactical issues.  2) Do not discuss strategic issues.

Monthly or Bi Monthly Strategic Meeting

• Time required: Two to four hours
• Purpose: Discuss, analyze, brainstorm and make decisions on strategic issues affecting the long term success of the team and/or enterprise.
• Keys to success: 1) Limit the discussion to one or two topics.  2) Prepare by researching the topics prior to the meeting.  3) Engage in productive dialogue; use conflict and differences of opinion to build creative solutions.

Semi Annual or Annual Off Site Meeting

• Time require: One to two days
• Purpose: Review progress on strategies, external (regulatory and competitive issues), key personnel, team development
• Keys to success: 1) Conduct the meeting away from the office.  2) Focus on work, not socializing.

These are some great common sense ideas for conducting meetings.  Common sense leaders find, that by clearly specifying the purpose of any meeting and not confusing one type of meeting with another, they are well on their way to conducting successful meetings.

That’s it for today.  Thanks for reading.  Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense.  Check out my other blog: www.SuccessCommonSense.com for common sense advice on becoming the life and career star you are meant to be.

I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

Bud

PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open.  Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.

Comments

[David Zinger]

Bud,

You are such a wonderful source of useful perspectives and ideas. I see you as a real pillar in the leadership/management blogging community.

Anytime I see that you have posted I know before I visit that there will be some real meat and potatoes here. Thanks for the food for thought.

David

[Bud Bilanich]

David:
Thank you for those kind words. I am flattered that you are so appreciative of my writing.
All the best,
BB