August 22, 2011 with 12 Comments

417.

Meeting Survival Guide

If you’ve known me for any length of time, you probably know that I don’t care for meetings.

I don’t care for any kind of meeting, but I especially don’t care for work meetings.

I’m an ER doctor for a reason. I live for brief encounters with even fewer words.

But that’s sadly not the way life goes. Meetings are essential for most businesses. Meetings are part of my life and yours. And if you’re going to do meetings, you might as well do them well.

So today I’d like to share with you these 5 tips that will make any meeting you sit in go faster, smoother, better. Heed my advice and thank me later.

1. Be actively present. In other words, engage in the meeting. Don’t sit back and check out. Don’t multitask. It’s distracting and annoying, and will likely drag things out longer than you wanted them to go. Go against every instinct, and put your phone away for a sec.

2. Don’t be afraid to be brief. Just because everyone else took 10 minutes to give their spiel doesn’t mean you have to too. If you can say it in a minute, then don’t spend a second longer than you need to. Focus, and finish.

3. Kill the rabbits. I can’t tell you how many meetings I’ve participated in that simply followed the rabbit trail to Hawaii. Kill that rabbit the minute it leaves the pack, and don’t be responsible for leading that trail. Stick to the purpose of the meeting. Life is too short to waste it talking.

4. If you don’t need to, don’t meet. I don’t understand meeting for the sake of…meeting. Group meetings tend to be longer than individual ones, and many items can be discussed via email. Consider this your food for thought if you’re the one calling the shots at your workplace! The key is to communicate, not pontificate.

5. Above all else, be respectful. I shouldn’t have to say it, but regardless of your (and my) feelings on meetings, as Christians we are called to respect the authorities in our lives including our bosses. Here’s what Paul says about it in Colossians 3:22 “Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye service, as people pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily as for the Lord and not for men”.

So…do you have any other ideas for making the most of your meetings? Share your thoughts in the comments section!

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  • http://ZCxz Milo

    Enough said

  • Tina

    When I was in corporate world, a woman would make the most of her time by clipping her nails during meetings. I kid you not.

    • Lina

      I’m tempted to try that next month…..would that fall under disrespectful or could I get away with it?

      • http://ZCxz Milo

        Disrespectful and disgusting

  • Suzanne

    I’m an ER doctor for a reason. I live for brief encounters with even fewer words… Your funny doc… I only get few words from Urgent care docs.. my regular ones like to lecture me about taking my asthma meds!

    BYW: I love my Church too.. or God at work in my church..
    HBC Naperville… it rocks!

  • Betsy

    To make the most of meetings I always prepare – in thought and with a list. If I need information or have questions, having it written down helps keep the conversation on point. If I’m in charge of the meeting – I always have a printed agenda. It’s a great way to bring everyone back to the “trail” if they’re straying and prevents them from jumping the gun into info that is better addressed later in the meeting when they have more information.

    • lina

      And can I just come out and say: no one, i mean no one, runs a meeting like betsy does!!
      And btw, i’m the worst kind of meeting attender, as betsy will tell you. I try to abide by my #4 tip!!

      • Betsy

        Thought about you last week during CC training and smiled remembering your ADD, multi-tasking, wandering – But you “got” it all anyway. love ya, B diddy

  • Gina

    Morning. I don’t care for meetings myself. they are important tho.next one I just might bring my toe nail clippers to lighten the mood.ill be the only 1 laughing :) this was a great post! Happy Monday Dr. L :)

  • Gina

    Milo.if that comment was for my comment.I respect everyone and everything thing in my life especially church and Linas blog.

  • Gina

    I apologize for last comment. when I go into meetings I always have things prepared . Thing is our main bosses are going to say things we may not like. But they are right. That’s why their our boss. Thankyou dr.l :)

  • Amber

    I have a hard time with keeping my mouth shut when others don’t respect the rules. Thank you for showing me Colossians 3:22