Comments on: How to Run a Meeting

By: Malik

Malik — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 21:33:26 +0000

Well, depending on the context of a meeting I expect there is no a standard template for opening and running a successful meeting. However, the above mentioned descriptions adds to ones quick mindedness to follow and steer the meeting (discussion) in a fruitful result.
personally, as an organizer, I will add some friendly sentences in the start up of a meeting, and then adopt the principle of ping-pong game.

By: hitesh sahni

hitesh sahni — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 12:06:16 +0000

I think I’ll soon run a meeting on how to run a meeting. :-) Great Article. Thanks!

By: Derrick

Derrick — Sat, 22 May 2010 22:01:35 +0000

M father used to sit on the boards of a number of companies. His number-one rule was that ALL issues discussed at the meeting must be sorted out ahead of time. This is much like the rule above about settling pet issues, but in this case, the outcome of the meeting should be already known before it begins. Seems odd, but this is the only way meetings ever accomplish anything. He would go and meet with every board member ahead of the meeting and sort out every issue that was to be discussed. Then, come meeting time, things went very smoothly. It helped he was a hard-ass business man who could bend people to his will……

By: VJ

VJ — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:23:54 +0000

When I first glanced at the title I thought it read How to Ruin a Meeting. and then I said to myself “Wait a minute. I already know how to do that!”

By: Leon

Leon — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 06:38:52 +0000

What I’ve found to work is to set ground rules for those attending the meeting. If people aren’t willing to accept them, then they have no business being there. Additionally, use or adapt some form of Robert’s Rules (or Parliamentary Procedure) to keep the meeting on topic and in order. Enact penalties or fines for those coming in late or being on their Blackberry.

One of the biggest wastes of time is during discussion when people just rehash others comments/opinions on a topic just to hear their own voice. With Robert’s Rules they can be cut short so that the meeting can be moved forward.

By: Travis

Travis — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 23:21:24 +0000

The best way to end a meeting that I have ever personally heard came from my last boss. Once a meeting had met it’s resolution, and once the redundant recap and rehash of the meeting was beginning, he’d say, “If you will all excuse me, I’ve got shit to do.” He would then shake hands with everyone, and walk out the door.

By: Legal Marketting

Legal Marketting — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:13:18 +0000

Great post! This has lots of useful relevant tips on running a proficient meeting. I also was looking at other posts and having a well put together appearance is always helpful in a conference setting and video conferencing is always a good idea!

By: Adam

Adam — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:44:07 +0000

Great and informative post, I used to go to so many meetings whilst working for Tesco, and I now realise how many of them were actually pointless, most of the time it was the store manager telling us to keep our backs up and push sales, thats not a meeting it’s a bloody lecture! Nice post.

By: James

James — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:23:50 +0000

All good stuff.

Also, when (my) meetings do finish on time with all points covered, I make it a point to say to everyone “well done, everything covered and on schedule”. Just reminds people that hitting milestones IS important.

By: Bob

Bob — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 02:05:59 +0000

Excellent article!

I pride myself on running well-organized meetings, and i am always amazed at how people forget that the purpose of a meeting is never to get together and chat… it’s to achieve a purpose that cannot be completed unless the key players are all gathered to discuss the issues.

My advice to anyone that runs a meeting is this: remember that you take on a specific responsibility by holding the meeting, and your peers will respect you if you take that responsibility seriously. By organizing ahead of time, managing the discussion, and working with an agenda you show respect for everyone’s time and input. And even the most unruly group will respond positively to that.

One other trick that I learned years ago: ask for permission to manage the meeting. Whenever I start a meeting, I always address the group and let them know how I will run the meeting, how the agenda will be followed, and how I will handle distractions or sidebars. I basically ask for their permission to stop idle chatter and give equal time where appropriate. If you do this respectfully, you can not only command the respect and attention of your peers but your managers/senior staff as well.