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The worth of a meeting can often be indicated by both the form and substance of how they are conducted. Often the value, or lack of value, of a meeting is reflected in the statements that are made during the meeting.

If you are the chairperson or the senior executive that has called the meeting and want an effective outcome here are a few statements you must not make:

I’m the boss!  Why are we here?  That’s a stupid idea!  Listen to me…  you don’t listen.  I know you all agree, now just get on with it.  He’s the expert we should do what he wants.  What the &#%$ would your department know about this!  It’s my call and that’s how it will be!  Okay that’s enough; you don’t know what you’re talking about, now who’s next!  How you feel is not important, just stick to the facts!  You guys are just here to observe!  Why do you keep disagreeing?  Just to digress for a moment!  Lets vote on it.

Well-known management guru Douglas McGregor gives us a key to how to conduct things a little more professionally:

Effective Meetings… no tension, no boredom, everyone counts and contributes, no undue deference nor domination by the leader, understanding the goal with commitment by all, ensure relevance, disagreements are aired without ill feeling, criticism is constructive and freely given, consensus is sought, feelings are expressed as well as ideas and clear assignments are made.

WHY ORGANIZE A CHECKLIST FOR YOUR NEXT MEETING AND SEE HOW IT RANKS…

POINT: Before we call a meeting we should ask ourselves the following questions…

Can we achieve the desired result with a ring around or with just two people face to face?

Is this meeting really just ‘disguised working’ or a ‘social event’?

How long has it been since anyone asked why we have this meeting, has it become a ritual?

Are the decision makers attending or are substitutes sitting in?

Do the loudest always win and how will a counter this?

Is that idiot with the mobile phone or “Blackberry” going to be there?

Has this meeting become a forum for show offs and politicians?

Is there an agenda and are minutes distributed?

Do we make decisions and did anything happen as a result of the last meeting?

POINT: If one person is late and keeps six other highly paid executives waiting ten minutes… one hour of productive (and expensive) time is lost. A great way to stop those that are habitually a problem is to lock the doors 2 minutes after start time and exclude the latecomers. Then talk to them after the meeting it creates great pressure on the offenders.

FINAL POINT: Most managers think [if not say] that they spend too much time in unproductive time wasting… stupid bloody meetings… pardon my profanity.

SO NOW…ARE ALL THE MEETINGS IN YOUR DIARY… R-E-A-L-L-Y… NECESSARY…?

Ric (orglearn) **Link for direct page viewers return to main career success blog to check out other posts!

Tired of attending lousy waste of time meetings, time to change jobs, need a new resume… take a look at the free blank resume form!