Somehow, over the years, our days have become even more tight for time. The constant use of technology has brought a whole new meaning to the term “time suck,” and many of us find ourselves seemingly wasting valuable time on devices. This is just one reason it’s more important than ever to ensure the time we spend in meetings is as efficient as possible. Fortunately, effective meetings are the topic we’re going to cover today!
In an article published in Inc. in 2014, Kristine Kern, then a principal at Table Group, shared her top five rules for more efficient and effective meetings. We’ve been referring to this article for years. Now, here we are, almost ten years since it was published, and it still brings so much value to the table.
“Despite their reputation as a huge time suck, meetings are the laboratories of real, measurable teamwork. To reclaim productivity at your organization, try these strategies for making meetings meaningful again.” Kristine Kern
Looking to rekindle a long-lost affection for meetings with your team? Or are you considering throwing team meetings into the wind? Kristine Kern counsels teams in productivity for a living, so we know her advice is worth listening to.
In the article, she offers some hopeful and helpful advice for those without much hope of ever having a productive meeting again. Below, we’ll share some of the key insights from this article to start you on the path to more effective meetings.
Here are five “rules for reclaiming control of your meetings” to make your team meeting “a productivity tool and competitive advantage.”
Have some important decisions to discuss? Allow your team to have a healthy exchange of ideas and debate the importance of each one. When it’s said and done, your team members will feel better about their team decisions.
If you’re struggling to motivate your team, here’s another article you don’t want to miss next: How to Motivate Employees: 6 Fool-Proof Strategies.
Table Group founder and author of Death By Meeting, Pat Lencioni, developed a meeting model based on discussing one type of information in each meeting that he discusses in-depth in his book.
In support of this model, Kern explains we do best when we don’t have to flip back and forth between various types of information.
About this model, Kern explains: “It argues that successful teams hold different meetings for different types of information. You don’t mix the administrative (what big client meetings you have this week) with the tactical (how you’re going to roll out the new sales plan) with the strategic (what exactly the new plan entails). The reason? Our brains are not that adept at flipping quickly from one type of information to another.”
Without a “pre-formulated” agenda—something Pat Lencioni does not tend to encourage—means the focus of the meeting can be on items that concern the team and the business right now.
The framework Pat crafted for weekly tactical meetings is impactful, especially since it lacks a preset agenda. Instead, attendees shape the agenda in real time based on what matters to them and the business. The meeting’s flow isn’t dictated by a prior email, nor is it solely aligned with the leaders’ strategic objectives, which is crucial. This shift is significant as it ensures team members address topics relevant to them.
To execute this effectively, limit discussions to topics on the team’s scorecard. For the most effective meeting, concentrate on areas that truly need attention.
Tangents derail many meetings. So, choose a meeting leader who keeps everyone on track tactfully and firmly. On cohesive teams skilled in trust, conflict, commitment, accountability, and results, members willingly identify off-topic discussions without taking offense.
For teams still working on this? Try designating a meeting leader comfortable guiding the team to stay on track. Ensure the leader actively maintains the meeting’s focus. This is especially important for a team in building trust and accountability with each other.
“The end is just as important as the beginning,” Kern explains. Use this time to ensure all team members agree and leave the meeting with the same understanding of what will be shared.
Want to read more about holding efficient, effective meetings? Click here for the full text of the article.
Increased meeting productivity may be just around the corner!
Another way to have effective meetings is to outsource anything that’s eating up your team’s time so they can better focus during the meeting. Not to mention, if tasks like bookkeeping are taken care of, you and your team can put your full attention on the topic at hand.
If outsourcing your bookkeeping has been on your mind, reach out to Two Roads today so we can take this task off your plate. Book a call now!
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This article was updated in 2023 just for you.