It is not always easy to manage people. On the same token, it is also not easy to manage a meeting. Should you be the person in charge of holding the meeting, you need to ensure that you have a strong presence, are savvy, and possess the ability to keep calm and main control in complex situations.
A well-run meeting is one in which employees are able to contribute and benefit from. Here are some tips to ensure that to help your meetings run smoothly.
Confidence
Confidence is one of the most important parts of being respected as a leader.
Agenda
Agendas are necessary. It is important to have the entire meeting outlined so you can be sure that you are not wasting any time and staying on track.
Research
Make sure you are knowledgeable about all the topics that being discussed during the meeting. Your team will be more inclined to listen if they feel as though you know what you are talking about.
Ice Breakers
Begin your meeting by asking the team to participate in an ice breaker. Ice breakers will normally allow employees to share something personal or enjoy a few laughs before the meeting begins.
Address “the bad” first
Discussing difficulties first will help to make the meeting more productive.
Open Mic
Ensure employees feel as though they have a valued voice and opinion on whatever topics you are discussing.
Passion
Exuding passion about the issues being discussed will mostly likely inspire your employees to feel the same way.
Next Steps
Close the meeting by making sure has a clear understanding of what will be expected of them once the meeting is over.