How to Run Effective Meetings in a Post-Pandemic World
Running an effective meeting is worthwhile, and there’s no doubt that running a worthwhile meeting has always been something of an art. But of course, now more than ever (a phrase that seems perpetually relevant), navigating hybrid work meetings has made us even more intentional– and become all the more important.
As much of the working world stumbles down this challenging path, it’s helpful to call upon the tried-and-true meeting effectiveness tips for both remote and in-person work, which include committing to start and end times, establishing roles, and being ready to listen.
In addition to these pointers, in a post-pandemic world you might have both in-person and some remote employees… which means you’ll need to think beyond these basic parameters.
3 Tips for Running Effective Meetings, even if your team is a hybrid blend between in-office and remote
To get you started, here’s are top 3 tops:
Name the meeting after the desired outcome
All too often, we see leaders running meetings with no clear goal in mind. Not only does this leave room for distractions and other forms of side-tracking, but it also gives attendees very little insight into what this communal time is being used for and how it is helping the team reach its goals. Leaders can avoid this by thinking about important outcomes in advance, so as not to waste any precious meeting time teams may get during the work day.
Think about your agenda and talking points in advance
This may not be a novel idea, but it’s one that’s worth repeating (over and over again). Going into a meeting without defined expectations lends itself to poor time management and prioritization, even amongst teams that are adept at staying on task. Leaders can do their teams a huge favor by crafting talking points (or even a detailed agenda) and sharing it with others ahead of time so that attendees are aware of what they will get out of the meeting and what they’re expected to contribute.
Boost engagement in hybrid meetings
One of the biggest challenges posed through hybrid work certainly has to be equally engaging employees whether they’re from home or in the office. In our experience, one of the best ways to accomplish this is to task a remote employee to be a meeting co-facilitator. This may look like driving the conversation on Zoom, managing breakout discussions, or even modifying instructions for those attending virtually. No matter its actualization, it’s essential that leaders are leveling the playing field among remote and in-person employees to avoid proximity bias and ensure that everyone is getting what they need from meetings, and feeling seen and heard.
Other Resources for Hybrid Work Teams Who Need More Effective Meetings
As teams navigate this ever-evolving state of post-pandemic work, it’s increasingly important for them to look to resources that are already being leveraged by countless leaders.
At Leadology, we’ve witnessed so many powerful transformations undergone by professionals who have learned or reengaged effective communication skills through Activate. This influential communication program for managers is known for teaching them to connect with employees, delegate tasks more effectively, navigate change and challenging conversations with ease, and foster growth and development among their teams.
Understanding your strengths and how they affect both your leadership style and ability to work with others is another important piece of the effective meeting puzzle. Leadology has a range of options suitable to any team or any manager, with any budget. Start with the 21-Day Challenge here, or learn more about our other offerings on our website.
Interested in refining your communication skills to be a better leader for your team? Book a call with us to bring Activate into your office, and keep efficiency as the focus from here on out!
