"It is literally true that you can succeed best and quickest by helping others to succeed." -- Napoleon Hill, American motivational guru and author of Think and Grow Rich.
Do We Really Need 32 People at This Meeting? |
Meetings may just be the bane of our workplace existence. I don't mean events like professional conferences; those generally represent valuable educational experiences. No, I refer to those self-proliferating time-wasters that bring co-workers together to discuss ways to maximize team productivity, but instead accomplish the exact opposite. They seem to expand as time goes by; and when everyone has to have their say, they can drag on for hours, killing productive momentum.
Yet meetings remain absolutely necessary if organizations expect to meet their strategic goals. The higher you rise in an organization, the more of your time is spent "working" in meetings: making decisions, determining strategic direction, and collaborating with other leaders. At their best, meetings help us share information, coordinate plans, ensure alignment, maximize limited resources, and spark innovation.
To have a productive meeting, you must know why you're meeting, stick to the agenda, and limit attendance only to those who can contribute. For example, if you oversee the sales team, and a meeting involves purchasing new software for the corporate accountants, do you need to attend? No. Do you even need to show the flag? No. On the other hand, Fritz the bean-counter may need to attend your quarterly sales meetings if he tracks your department's costs or net profits. Use these guidelines to decide how many people should attend, based on meeting type:
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1. Communicating Company Strategy. These all-hands meetings can include everyone in the organization, as long as the moderators limit questions and stick to a strict schedule. These meetings often include speeches by thought leaders or subject matter experts.
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2. Brainstorming. Limit these sessions to 25 people at the most, and consider breakout sessions where smaller subgroups handle specific topics and report in to the moderator.
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3. Problem Solving/Discussion. Fewer than 15 attendees works best here. If you have more people who should participate, especially when company direction is involved, consider breaking into two or more meetings.
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The 2013 STACK Attack! |
Due to a special plea from a reader, I am hosting a New Year's productivity workflow makeover on Friday, February 1, 2013. Eight people will come to my home office in Denver, CO, to revamp their organization, email, and time management systems. To assure everyone will get one-to-one hands-on instruction, this opportunity is limited to the first 8 people who register. No exceptions. Learn more about this special opportunity
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Productivity Pro Public Workshop on February 25, 2013 |
Attend an immersive, interactive workshop, based on Laura Stack's newest book, What to Do When There's Too Much to Do! This full-day experience will be facilitated by Productivity Pro certified trainer, Kathy Cooperman.
What would you do with 90 extra minutes each day? Perhaps that idea sounds impossible, but in fact, it's well within your reach...once you apply these proven and practical strategies. You'll receive the tools and tips you need to truly do less, get greater results, and maintain your sanity. Monday, February 25, 2013, 8:30 AM TO 4:00 PM at the MARRIOTT DENVER SOUTH, Lone Tree, CO
Order Now
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Thanks for reading! Make it a productive day.™ |
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