The Secret to Great Meetings: Preparation

Have you ever sat in a meeting and wondered what was happening or where the conversation was going? Maybe the point of everything seemed lost. It’s frustrating when no one in the meeting knows what’s going on.

You’ve probably attended several meetings like this, and maybe now you’re in a position of scheduling meetings yourself. I’ll let you in on a secret: meetings don’t have to feel like an aimless march. Great meetings are possible. They just require preparation.

Here are three ways to set yourself up for a great meeting:

Designate a meeting leader and facilitator. While a meeting leader is a strategic role, the facilitator handles meeting processes. Leaders determine a meeting’s purpose and own the results, as well as drive the meeting and discussion forward. Facilitators, on the other hand, are responsible for preparing the agenda with the leader’s input, distributing the agenda, keeping time, taking and distributing notes, and following up on any action items. Sometimes in smaller meetings, the leader and facilitator are the same person. But it’s often a good idea to keep them separate. Both roles are vital for successful and efficient meetings.</

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