Meetings CAN be a waste of time and they can be the biggest productivity and engagement tool in any organization.

The difference in outcome rests first and foremost on the shoulders and hands and mind of you as a leader. So think of your very last meeting with your team, and ask yourself:

  • How productive was the meeting?
  • Was that normal or the exception?
  • How would others answer those questions?
  • What could we have done to improve the productivity of that meeting?

Be honest, too. Meeting just for the sake of meeting is often the biggest mistake leaders make, especially new leaders. Running aimless, meandering meetings where little progress is made is the second biggest mistake.

Once you’ve taken an honest look at your meetings, follow these three tips to make a difference – both immediately and long term:

  • Have clear desired outcomes for every meeting that you communicate to participants beforehand
  • Use and follow an agenda (that is focused on those desired outcomes)
  • Hold people accountable for the action items

Want to learn how to write desired outcomes that produce results? Watch this quick video!

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Kevin Eikenberry is a recognized world expert on leadership development and learning and is the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group. He has spent over 30 years helping organizations across North America, and leaders from around the world, on leadership, learning, teams and teamwork, communication and more.

Twice he has been named by Inc.com as one of the Top 100 Leadership and Management Experts in the World and 100 Great Leadership Speakers for Your Next Conference. The American Management Association named him a “Leaders to Watch” and he has been twice named as one of the World's Top 30 Leadership Professionals by Global Gurus. Top Sales World has named him a Top Sales & Marketing Influencer several times, and his blog has been named on many “best of” lists. LeadersHum has named him one of the 200 Biggest Voices in Leadership in 2023.

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  1. Thanks Kevin. I appreciated your advice on getting better results from meetings. I still enjoy and benefit from these regular messages.

    Ken Ford, River View Coal, LLC

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