Transforming Team Meetings: Infusing Fun and Functionality From My Team to Yours.

I've been giving a lot of thought to team meetings lately, trying to understand what makes them good, bad, okay, or a waste of time. Team meetings often become routine check-ins full of agenda items and updates. But consider this: one team meeting a week for 30 years adds up to 1,560 hours. What else could you do with that time? We've all heard the dreaded "Could that have been sent in an email?" comment after a meeting. It's time to change that narrative and make our meetings truly valuable and engaging.

Under the leadership of Kris Davis and partnering with Katie Ring, MPH Shari Carlos Johnson Leann Fletcher Bo Harris Grace Davis, MBA Paul Krueger Charlie Walker Carolina Bravo Caroline Whalen Alberto Macias Mike Sanda Rachel Eddy Stephanie Grossen Cassaundra Caron here are a few excellent things I learned and plan to continue using:

1. Rotating Meeting Ownership: Rotate meeting ownership to democratize leadership and bring fresh perspectives. This allows everyone to lead, keeping the meetings energetic and inclusive. It's also great to see different team members run the show.

2. Open Agenda Policy: Adopt an open agenda policy where everyone can add topics. Compiling a list using a shared document ensures transparency and relevance. This turns meetings into collaborative brainstorming sessions, encouraging creative solutions and participation.

3. Creative Icebreakers: Beginning each meeting with a creative icebreaker is truly one of the highlights of my week. It's remarkable how these activities reveal new aspects of their personality even after working with someone for years. They never fail to bring laughter and showcase the unique yet relatable traits that make each team member special.

For example, we might share our favorite songs, foods, or high school memories. We could discuss dream travel destinations or our favorite books. Fun hypotheticals like 'If you could talk to animals or speak all languages, which would you choose?' always spark exciting conversations. And, of course, asking about favorite Taylor Swift songs—because no matter who is on that call, they know at least one! Adding to the fun, whoever is running the meeting for the week gets to pick the icebreaker, adding a personal touch and keeping things fresh.

4. Active Participation: A Dynamic Approach: To truly engage your team, move beyond routine updates and embrace interactive problem-solving. Instead of listing updates, bring a real problem to the group and encourage collaborative problem-solving. Break into smaller groups to brainstorm solutions, ensuring everyone has a chance to contribute. This approach fosters a dynamic environment where open dialogue and innovative thinking thrive, leading to more effective meetings and a stronger team dynamic.

5. Celebrate Successes: End meetings on a high note by celebrating achievements and recognizing individual contributions. This boosts morale, fosters camaraderie, and reinforces a culture of appreciation.

By adopting these strategies, we can transform our team meetings into powerful catalysts for creativity, collaboration, and innovation. Let's embrace these changes and make our meetings more effective and enjoyable.

If you have any other suggestions, please don't hesitate to add them, as I want to continue learning so I can enjoy these meetings!