3 Ways to Stop a Meeting That Just Won’t End
Mohaymen Abdelghany
![Mohaymen Abdelghany]()
Mohaymen Abdelghany
CEO of Fakeeh University Hospital, VP of Fakeeh Care - UAE | Physician Consultant@ JCI | VP Elect @ ACHE MENA | Board Member @ Dubai Healthcare Business Group Passionate Physician & Healthcare Leader | Harvard Alumnus
We’ve all been in meetings that seem like they go on and on and on. Instead of watching the clock, take matters into your own hands:
- Come prepared. You can avoid a chaotic, rambling conversation simply by showing up with a clearly articulated position on the topic to be discussed. Don’t push it on others, but offer to share it if people think doing so will speed up the discussion.
- Set limits. If a meeting is notorious for starting late or running over, explain your time limitations up front. You might say, “I understand we’re starting late, but I have a commitment to the new team I want to keep, so I have a hard stop at 10:45 AM.”
- Name what’s happening. Listen to your gut. If you’re feeling lost, pay attention. If you’re feeling bored, notice it. There’s a good chance others feel the same. You can tactfully and tentatively share your concern to see if others are feeling similarly. You might say, “I’m not sure I’m tracking the discussion. We seem to be moving among three different agenda items. Are others seeing that too?”
Adapted from “7 Ways to Stop a Meeting from Dragging On,” by Joseph Grenny
Executive Coach | Transformational Coaching and Leadership for Leaders of Leaders
8 年Thanks for sharing these Dr Mohaymen. Have you ever noticed that many of the tips shared are about how to avoid the meeting getting to that state in the first place, instead of actually addressing it once you're there? I have. It's what most people struggle with the most. They create brilliant strategies to avoid getting to that point, and still end up stuck when it happens in spite of those strategies. What are your favourite ways to address that problem once it's arisen?
25k Followers | CEO Rightway Solutions | Entrepreneur
8 年Very effective post. Really like the point - Set Limits.
Digital Healthcare Transformation Expert | 29+ Years in Healthcare IT Leadership | Expert in IT, Business Strategy & Digital Innovation | CIO Leadership Award Winner | Enhancing Patient Care Through Technology
8 年Thank you doc, a very helpful and effective ways in managing our meetings.