In my opinion, most meetings are a complete waste of time. Although the relayed information might be necessary, it isn’t always delivered practically since most managers do not know how to run meetings. Successfully leading huddles or meetings is important to building great relationships and leading talented teams. If you want to start getting more from your employees and your meetings, try utilizing the following three methods to run your meetings like a CEO.
Always Request An Agenda
Early in my career, an acquaintance invited me to a business lunch. I can remember wondering, “What does he want to talk to me about?” After a little bit of small talk, he unveiled his agenda. He wanted to sell me a new insurance policy. It ended up being a massive waste of time for both of us. After that meeting, I only accepted invitations with an agenda – this comes with three distinct benefits.
The first is that you can see what will be discussed in the meeting, and you can decline the invite if it doesn’t pertain to you or your work. The second is that you can prepare for the meeting. The final benefit is that it makes you appear competent. Since you can come prepared, it will look like you have everything under control.
Ask Questions And Avoid Talking Too Much
One of the managers’ biggest mistakes when leading a meeting is trying to dominate the conversation. You may think, “Aren’t CEOs supposed to tell their attendees what to do in meetings?” The answer is no; the great CEOs don’t. The best CEOs will spend their time asking strategic, reflective questions and related to accountability. This helps them brainstorm new ideas with their team, ensure everyone is on the same page and put the responsibility on others so they can follow up in the future.
Discuss, Debate And Decide
The beginning of your meetings should focus on your strategy and what needs to be discussed. After introducing a topic, CEOs will say, “Let’s debate what we should do about this. Who has some ideas?” That brainstorming will help develop the best solution, and the CEO will decide what to do or who should handle each responsibility. Your meetings need to be focused on production. If you give people the freedom to speak openly, you will accomplish much more.
