Engaging Everyone in Meetings
January 17, 2023
The universal purposes of meetings are to share information and make decisions. The best decision-making meetings engage all attendees in the discussion. Yet, attendees sometimes offer so many ideas there is no time left to make a decision. Or, the push to make a decision quickly doesn’t offer space for the sharing of relevant information. If you are wondering how your next meeting can address both aspects of an effective meeting, read on.
- Be clear on the purpose of the meeting by precisely stating what you want to achieve by the end.
- Then, divide the attendees into groups of 2 to 4 and give them a specific task. For example, ‘List 5 benefits of the merger we are considering” or ‘List 3 program ideas for our monthly meetings”.
- Ask the small group members to list their ideas on a flipchart in large print. Post them at the front of the room.
- Ask the participants to identify ideas that appear on multiple flipcharts and list the themes on a summary flipchart.
- Now that everyone has thought about the topic at hand, shared their ideas, and heard diverse input, dig a little deeper. Encourage whole room discussion by asking open-ended questions such as “What value will this idea add to the project?” or “How can we access these resources”.
- After there has been some discussion around each theme on the summary flipchart, ask “What questions or concerns haven’t been addressed yet?”
- Now attendees are likely ready for a vote or a consensus decision.
Since all meeting attendees have been involved and informed, they are more likely to buy-in to the decision and support its implementation. Engaging meetings are a great success for the organization and the team members!
Ever wonder why some companies consistently outperform their competitors? According to Ram Charan's "Leaders at All Levels," the secret often lies in their approach to leadership development. Think about it: when organizations invest in developing leaders at every level, they're not just checking a box for HR—they're directly fueling their economic engine. Charan says that leadership talent is actually the biggest constraint on business growth worldwide. Too many companies treat leadership development as a nice-to-have program rather than a strategic necessity. But those who get it right create a continuous chain reaction of leadership excellence throughout their organization, resulting in measurable business advantages. The most successful companies don't just develop executives at the top. They identify potential leaders early, move them through increasingly challenging assignments, and ensure they gain the necessary skills to drive performance at every level. In today's competitive landscape, your leadership pipeline isn't just about succession planning—it's about creating the sustainable competitive advantage that drives superior business results and economic performance right now.
Have you ever felt like someone wasn't really hearing you? Reflective listening can fix that problem in the workplace. Reflective listening means truly understanding what someone is saying before you respond. When a coworker is speaking, focus completely on their words instead of planning what you'll say next. Many of us start forming responses while others are still talking, which means we miss important parts of their message. True listening requires patience and practice. To become a reflective listener, start by giving your full attention. Put away your phone, turn away from your computer, and make eye contact. Then, after the person finishes speaking, briefly summarize what you heard. You might say, "So what I'm hearing is..." This shows you were truly listening and gives them a chance to clarify if needed. The benefits of reflective listening are huge. It reduces misunderstandings, builds trust between coworkers, and helps solve problems more effectively. People feel valued when they're truly heard, which creates a more positive workplace. With practice, reflective listening becomes a habit that improves all your work relationships. Remember: listen first, respond second. Your workplace will be better for it.