What are the most common multitasking pitfalls during meetings?

When people don't know why they are a part of the meeting and what is expected of them, they get into the multi-tasking mode. To avoid this: ?? Identify not just the agenda, but also the goal of the meeting. ?? Ensure that the attendees know their role in the meeting. ?? and keep it engaging

Fazer uma coisa de cada vez é o nosso desafio na atualidade. Se estamos numa reuni?o, precisamos ter aten??o e foco ao que está acontecendo. Dando ao nosso interlocutor toda a nossa aten??o. Temos que administrar o "urgente". Urgente para quem? Tudo é urgente? Temos que ter controle das nossas atividades e agendas e n?o permitir que a urgência do outro me controle.

Meetings should last 60 minutes or less. Have an agenda (copies distributed 24 hours prior), no deviation but note the sideline issues for future resolution. Start on time but never start talking until you have everyone's attention. It worked with 350 Girl Scouts ages 5 to 18. It will work every time -just stand silently (we had a signal for quiet in Girl Scouts). People will notice. Request participation and attention with cell phones placed silent and out of sight. Minutes of the meeting should be prepared and distributed including the list of action items, the person responsible, and the time frame for completion, within 24 hours.

One of the most tempting distractions is your phone or email. It might seem harmless to quickly check them without missing anything important. However, each time you do that, you divert your attention from the meeting, diminishing your ability to process and recall information. You're also sending a signal to others that you're not fully engaged or respectful of their time. Mindful tip: Turn off your phone notifications and close your email tab before the meeting. If you're expecting an urgent message, inform the meeting organizer or participants in advance and set a specific time to check it. Otherwise, focus on the present moment and the people you are engaging with. ???? #MindfulMeetings #FocusOnPresent #ProfessionalDevelopment

Being present in meetings is critical, for all parties. As a meeting leader I ensure phones are switched of and laptops a closed if not needed. I also craft meeting agendas that ensure everyone has a voice and the meeting objectives are clear and that all participants are actively engaged. The meeting durations should be no longer that 60 mins.

In my experience, juggling tasks during meetings may seem like a productivity boost, but it's a mirage. Once, in an attempt to multitask, I overlooked a crucial project detail that was mentioned in passing during a meeting. This slip led to a cascade of misunderstandings that took days to rectify. I learned that being fully present not only shows respect to your colleagues but also safeguards the quality of your work.

I have a simple approach to managing participant who are zoning out, engage, engage, engage and be situationally aware in the meeting.

I recall a time when, during a seemingly monotonous meeting, I began planning my week ahead. Suddenly, I was called upon to share my insights, and I was adrift, scrambling to piece together the conversation. Now, I make it a point to stay engaged, recognizing that every meeting is an opportunity to connect, learn, and contribute.

I've witnessed how overpowering the conversation can lead to missed opportunities for collaborative problem-solving. Once, a colleague constantly interjected with their ideas, overshadowing others. It wasn't until we implemented a 'round-robin' approach that we discovered brilliant insights from quieter team members. Active listening and equitable dialogue foster a rich tapestry of perspectives that can lead to breakthrough innovations.

As a meeting team leader, I believe that you must have the skill to manage all participants including disruptive and dominating team members. These skills need to be practised under the overarching principals of respect and consideration. Even disruptive participant needs to be respected.

In my experience food should only be included in meetings that are already for a social purpose such as team building. Meetings in general, with specific goals to accomplish should be focused and inviting people to bring their lunch or snacks will only limit the outcome of the meeting. If pulling an all-nighter or other long meetings, I feel its always best to allow for breaks for eating and reflection which will also allow everyone to absorb the meeting content and perhaps come back from breaks with refreshing thoughts that bring better outcomes.

I chose to sperate meals from meeting to ensure staff have a dedicated break in their day. Lunch time meeting are a no go for me. Although coffees are always welcome.