9 common-sense rules for getting the most out of meetings

It is up to the meeting leader to balance conflicting perspectives, push through impasses and decide how to spend time wisely.

If you’re running the conversation, you should be weighing the potential cost in the time that it takes to explore opinions of inexperienced employees versus the potential gain in being able to assess their thinking and gain a better understanding of what they’re like.

Topic slip is random drifting from topic to topic without achieving completion on any of them. 

One way to avoid is by tracking the conversation on a whiteboard so that everyone can see where you are.

People’s emotions tend to heat up when there is a disagreement. Remain calm and analytical at all times; it is more difficult to shut down a logical exchange rather than an emotional one. 

Often, groups will make a decision to do something without assigning personal responsibilities, so it is not clear who is supposed to follow up by doing what. 

Be clear in assigning personal responsibilities.

It establishes that you have to give someone 2 uninterrupted minutes to explain their thinking, before jumping in with your own. 

This ensures everyone has time to communicate their thoughts without worrying they will be misunderstood or drowned out by a louder voice.

They things faster than they can be assessed, as a way of pushing their agenda past other people’s examination or objections. 

If you’re feeling pressured, say something like, “I’m going to need to slow you down so I can make sense of what you’re saying.” Then, ask your questions. 

Conversations that fail to reach completion are a waste of time. 

When there is an exchange of ideas, it is important to end it by stating the conclusions. If there is agreement, say it; if not, say that. When further action has been decided, get those tasks on a to-do list, assign people to do them, and specify due dates