Three Easy Ways Leaders Can Radically Improve Meetings

Meetings are one of the most basic functions of any enterprise, yet they often aren’t given the thought and attention they deserve. What many leaders fail to realize is that meetings play a pivotal role in the shaping and strengthening of a company's culture.

Regrettably, most people in most organizations disdain meetings and it’s hard to blame them. Meetings are often poorly run and poorly structured—thus participants leave feeling they’ve wasted their time. 

It doesn’t have to be this way. Here are three simple suggestions any leader can use to radically improve meetings.

#1 Make the Purpose Clear 

The purpose of every meeting must always be clear. When there is a clear understanding of why the meeting exists and why it is essential, people can buy into why it must take place.

Additionally, when the core objective of the meeting is clear, non-essential and inappropriate discussions are replaced with relevant ones.

Finally, when team members clearly understand what the meeting is trying to accomplish, their interest, focus, and engagement in the meeting increases. They know what they are trying to do.

#2 Clearly Define Roles 

If people don’t know what role they are supposed to play in a meeting they may wonder why they are there. Or worse, they may play the wrong role and unintentionally slow down or disrupt the meeting.

When people know their part and how they should participate and help in the meeting, it improves involvement, effectiveness, and efficiency.

When roles are defined participants understand their purpose and relevance. They see how they can make a contribution and add value to the meeting.

#3 Improve Your Attitude 

A leader’s attitude about meetings has a big impact on others’ attitudes about meetings. If a leader views meetings as drudgery or an evil necessity, others will mirror this thought pattern.

On the other hand, if leaders are enthusiastic and positive about meetings, others will follow this as well.

A leader must be careful with how they portray negative feelings towards meetings and strive to consistently maintain a positive attitude about them.

Meetings play a big role in every organization. A leader can ensure meetings are meaningful and effective by making the purpose clear, clearly defining roles, and improving their attitude.

Implementing these three simple suggestions will radically improve meetings and at the same time strengthen a company's culture.

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Tim Burningham is author of "Be An Awesome Boss: The Four C's Model to Leadership Success", and principal consultant for The Culture Guide Inc., a management consulting firm focused on obliterating job misery by creating healthy workplace cultures through The Four C's Model. You can learn more by visiting www.thecultureguide.com.