Muted or productive?

Your time is precious. So is everyone else’s. We can’t get it back, or store it, we can only spend it. So, let’s do a spot check on who are you spending your time with on virtual meetings. Are the meetings a productive and valuable use of everyone’s time??

Our mantra at ICC is ‘a good meeting’s a quick meeting’, and here’s why. We find that discussing and agreeing the same agenda items takes less time face to face, walking, or over the telephone. So why should it be any different virtually? Agree and commit to a time limit that’s shorter than your routine time-slots and see what happens. You may find that it develops rigour, respect and action-focused conversation.?

If we start a meeting on the hour, the assumption is that the meeting will be 30/60 minutes. At ICC, we like to start meetings with a 5 at the end, to nudge the efficiency.?

If it’s a strategy meeting, respect the intention and mix up the format. Developing strategy requires creativity and innovation, two characteristics that are in danger of being squashed in a virtual format. Also, a strategy meeting shouldn’t be bound by tight timelines. If virtual is the only geographical option, consider local face to face strategy meetings in advance of the main event, to help develop ideas for discussion.?

Crucially, take a look at the guest list. How often is it a blend of ‘talkers’, ‘submissives’, ‘do’ers’, ‘passengers’, and ‘administrators’? Time for a check-list:?

• What’s the purpose of the meeting???

• What outcome are you looking for???

• Who is best placed to deliver that???

• How will you ensure that all attendees get value from the meeting???

• Who needs to have time with the talking stick???

• Who might need to relinquish the stick???

• How will you agree actions and accountability???

• How will you secure commitment to post-meeting deadlines and collaboration???

Of course, virtual meetings should deliver value and solid outputs as a baseline. But how often do we consider the experience? Do I leave feeling worked but energised? Do I leave feeling like I’ve made a difference and been heard? Am I looking forward to the next one???

Could you sell tickets to your meetings?!?

Get in touch and we’ll walk you through the criteria for a high-performance meeting, you’re #InCoolCompany!?

#highperformance #productivecollaboration #meetings #teamwork