Meetings Matter

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How many hours do you spend in meetings? How many of those meetings warranted the time, energy and money for everyone to be there?

If you’re thinking, “Too many!” and “Not enough!,” there are TONS of meeting management tools out there and hacks to get you thinking more critically about the who, how, what and when of your meetings. 

Here are a few of my favorites from Adam Grant’s awesome WorkLife Podcast “Why Meetings Suck and How you can Fix Them”:

• Cancel all your meetings (perhaps EVERYONE’S meetings) for the next two weeks and then start from scratch

• Put a price tag on every meeting in your company (in the invite) based on the average salary and number of people attending so the cost of a bad meeting is not lost on anyone

• Craft agendas so the meeting’s purpose is clear (to decide, solve, identify, or connect, etc.)

• Invite all employees to question why they’re invited to any meeting and what they are expected to contribute. If they hear “to update you,” “to keep you in the loop,” “so your feelings aren’t hurt” they get to decline no matter who invited them

These hacks address how you “DO” meetings. How you’re “BEING” in meetings is up to you.

Whether you are a host or a guest, in 1:1’s or an all-hands, you can use meetings to build trust, accountability, and engagement.

I asked some of my favorite leaders and friends how great leaders show up in meetings, both in their actions and their presence. Nothing they said is complex. In fact it’s all simple, but it’s not necessarily easy. As one leader said, “this all sounds obvious… but apparently it’s not.”

Do	What this looks like
Be authentic & humble	If you don’t know, say so. If you made a mistake, say so. Everyone around you knows anyway, so you might as well capitalize on the mileage you get from being vulnerable and transparent.
Be prepared	You don’t get a pass on homework/prep-work just because you’ve made it to a leadership position.
(Truly) listen to other points of view & say what you’ve heard	If you’re distracted or thinking about what you’ll say next, you’re not doing it. Say things like, “I’m hearing you’re proposing X. Did I get that right?” And “I like that and I’d like to add this… .”
Stick to the agenda (no highjacking)	Don’t be an a******.
Build and reinforce a culture of accountability	“By when” and “by whom” are the two most important questions to ask to get results. Don’t let a commitment go by without them.
Challenge ideas and advocate lightly	“I’m not clear on X. What additional data/info can we get for more clarity?” “I’m thinking Y. What are you seeing that I’m not?”
Be a hero-maker not a hero.	Acknowledge others liberally, give the credit away. This builds ENORMOUS amounts of goodwill and trust.
Lead from in front and from behind	Get alignment on long term goals and strategy then get out of the way while showing your team you’ve got their backs (with resources, support, removing roadblocks, etc.)
(If you’re running the meeting) Check-in and check out	Ask everyone to share a highlight, a win or something they’re proud of for the week, either professionally or personally.

I love this list and I loved hearing the stories behind it  (the good, the bad and the ugly). What would YOU add that’s missing from the list? I’d love to hear from you here. 

And if you or someone you know could use support with the left hand column above, I’ve got you covered. Get in touch here and we’ll do an audit.