Let's NOT Meet! Tips for Avoiding Unnecessary Meetings
By Michael Wilkinson
Managing Director, Leadership Strategies
Have you ever sat through a meeting and wondered, "Why are we having this meeting? What a waste of time!" Meetings take time and tie up resources. Unfortunately, many call meetings without having a clear picture of the goal for the meeting or an understanding of whether a meeting is really necessary. If a quality result can be achieved without holding a meeting, let's NOT meet! Use the tips that follow to avoid having unnecessary meetings.
Questions to Ask Yourself Before Calling a Meeting
- What is my purpose in calling the meeting? What are the products to be produced?
- Is it possible to achieve the purpose without a meeting?
- Is the purpose worth the time and resources that the meeting will consume?
Eliminating Status Meetings
- If the meeting is truly "information only," consider distributing a memo instead or using voice mail.
- If little action has taken place between status meetings, consider making meetings less frequent.
Eliminating Working Meetings and Strategy Meetings
- Make analysis assignments and perform the analysis outside of a meeting.
- Document a preliminary decision in written form and circulate it for comment.
When You are Asked to Attend a Meeting
- Request the meeting's purpose and product in advance.
- If you think it is possible to achieve the meeting purpose and product without meeting, suggest an alternative.
You can learn more about masterful meetings - the book and our training classes - at www.masterfulmeetings.com.
About the Author
Michael Wilkinson is the Managing Director of Leadership Strategies - The Facilitation Company and author of The Secrets of Facilitation and The Secrets to Masterful Meetings. He is a Certified Master Facilitator and a much sought after strategic planning facilitator and speaker.
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