7 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Wasting Time in Your Next Company Meeting
Marcus Sheridan
One of the most engaging keynote speakers on the planet—I create experiences that change how businesses sell, connect, and win | Author of Endless Customers and They Ask, You Answer | Entrepreneur | Master Storyteller
Do you know what’s sad?
Many employees around the world judge their value to a company based on how many meetings they are invited to attend.
What!!??
Yeah, NOT good.
It’s like social media vanity metrics—the numbers (likes, shares, etc.) are often meaningless but we feel validated because of them.
The older (and hopefully wiser) I get, the more I find myself asking deeper questions about the meetings I’m a part of.
And knowing that “time” is one of the precious things we can’t get back in life, I’ve found by asking the following questions I’m able to quickly get clear on whether or not I should “attend” or “pass” the next time I see that invite in my inbox…
7 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Your Next Meeting
1. Would this group accomplish the same or more if I wasn’t in attendance?
2. Is there an explicit clarity of purpose for this meeting?
3. Am I needed for the whole time, or could I contribute where needed and then leave?
4. What prep work can I/we eliminate beforehand so as to only spend time discussing and solving the issue, instead of learning about said issue?
5. Are the right people, and ONLY the right people, going to be in attendance?
6. Do I feel a genuine excitement or need to attend this meeting? If not, why?
7. Could we accomplish the same goal if we scheduled the meeting for half the amount of time?
Although there are certainly more questions that could be asked, just answering these honestly (and then acting accordingly) can make a world of difference.
On a personal level, by forcing myself to frankly answer the questions above I find myself attending less meetings, while the ones I do attend end up being more productive, ultimately making me happier because of it...
So my question for you is:
What would you add to the list?
What has worked for you in your efforts to have better, more effective meetings?
Feel free to share your thoughts below…
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4 年How many meetings I've sat through because I had to, and nothing accomplished. I couldn't say anything, not my place. Now I'm working for myself. A meeting is for a reason, to discuss important business.
Leading Corporate Teams in Meaningful Business Conversations for Significant Connection – Reach more Customers - Get more Call Backs - Raise more Quotes - Get more Orders | LinkedIn Local Host Ayrshire & Glasgow | Author
4 年Oh how refreshing! In fact, I was having this conversation with John Graham FCSD today about who we work with and why. We went further to agree that a meeting can often be replaced by a phone call.
Patent Strategist helping tech companies design patent strategies that create a competitive advantage, attract investors, and increase valuation | Author of Cracking the Patent Code | Tech Leader Talk podcast host
4 年Great tips Marcus, especially the idea of shortening the meeting to increase focus on the critical issue(s).
SaaS, Cybersecurity, QuickBooks Hosting, Management and Team Builder. I help people achieve their goals through mentoring, teaching and leading from the heart.
4 年I find most recurring meetings are poorly planned and most are unproductive. It’s a meeting for the sakes of having a meeting and they become routine and monotonous. Have a new agenda and discuss real issues so everyone comes away with a sense of action or with real action items. I have regular scheduled meetings however, if I don’t have something to address, I cancel them.
Universal Hype Guy with an Entrepreneurial Spirit of Enthusiasm
4 年Just shared this with my company. Great points! Thanks!