Too many meeting leaders think their job ends when the meeting starts or![\"Nonprofits](\"https:\/\/divi.ameravant.com\/nonprofitkinect\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/133\/2022\/12\/Nonprofits-continue-to-deliver-vital-services-while-adapting-to-COVID-challenges-shifting-landscape-300x194.jpg\")
that they merely serve as note-taker and \u201cagenda police.\u201d But, as with almost any work project, a meeting\u2019s success relies on the success of leadership communication. This article covers 10 communication tactics that can help leaders and executives attending meetings make sure that critical points are raised and discussed as effectively as they are efficiently, so that meetings ultimately accomplish their mission.<\/p>\n
“Many meeting effectiveness tips \u2014 whether the gathering happens in a room or on a Zoom \u2014 are well understood by now, including\u00a0<\/span>starting and ending on time<\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>creating efficient agendas<\/a>, establishing clear roles, and remembering when you\u2019re on mute. Even if you don\u2019t know the basics, a quick Google search will reveal them.<\/p>\n But some of the most valuable meeting tips may also be the least well-known because they\u2019re not about the meeting structure, participants, or even the agenda; they\u2019re about how the meeting leader prepares for the meeting and communicates throughout it.<\/p>\n As with almost any work project, a meeting\u2019s success relies on the success of leadership communication.<\/p>\n Below are 10 communication tactics that can help both meeting leaders and executives attending meetings make sure those meetings accomplish their missions.<\/p>\n An agenda is a helpful meeting roadmap but not an effective tool for conveying your key points. So, in addition to creating an agenda, conceive and prepare a few brief but valuable points in advance.<\/p>\n Some questions to ask yourself that can help you develop these points:<\/p>\n Bring these answers to the meeting and share them at the start or when related agenda topics come up. Remember: a topic is a piece of paper. A point is a paper airplane. You can have both on the table, but only one delivers your idea.<\/p>\n At the start of the meeting, share the meeting\u2019s purpose \u2014 what needs to be decided, reviewed, or accomplished as a result of the meeting. Avoid vague purposes like \u201cexploring\u201d or \u201caddressing\u201d an issue. That only promises talk, not action or advancement. (Even in Zoom, talk can still be cheap.) Stating a clear purpose at the start of the meeting will help to ensure that it gets met \u2014 or at least checked \u2014 by the end.<\/p>\n Leaders often \u2014 and should \u2014 kick off meetings with greetings, sentiments, and important updates. If your opening comments cover several topics, provide a preview: \u201cBefore we start, I\u2019d like to quickly cover last week\u2019s forecast announcement, our DEI internal survey results, and some new team members who will be joining us soon.\u201d<\/p>\n Also, use\u00a0internal transitions\u00a0(\u201cThe second thing I want to suggest is Y\u201d) and\u00a0conclusion statements\u00a0(\u201cAs you can see, X, Y, and Z are critical to our success\u201d).<\/p>\n This preview\/transition\/review scaffolding helps your team 1) know what to expect, 2) follow you, and 3) understand their key takeaways.<\/p>\n For a meeting leader, listening and appearing to listen are essential values because while dialogue is vital, you also want to be seen as caring and appreciative of your colleagues\u2019 contributions. Here are some quick tips to both actively listen and demonstrate that you\u2019re actively listening:<\/p>\n1. Prepare Your Points \u2014 Not Just an Agenda \u2014 in Advance<\/h2>\n
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2. Provide\u00a0<\/span>the Purpose<\/strong><\/h2>\n
3. Guide\u00a0<\/span>Your Listeners<\/strong><\/h2>\n
4.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>Be<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>Ready\u00a0<\/span>to Listen<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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5. Prepare\u00a0<\/span>Questions<\/strong><\/h2>\n