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26 May 2024
Transforming Meetings Into Engaging Opportunities
Today on "Beyond the Surface," Sam discusses how to conduct productive and meaningful meetings, with tips for engaging dialogue and innovation.
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Hello there! Welcome back to another episode of "Beyond the Surface." This is your host, Sam, sharing insights and wisdom that will hopefully make your day a little brighter. Today's topic is an intriguing one: how to conduct productive and meaningful meetings. We've all been there - trapped in a meeting room, watching the clock as someone drones on about something we've already heard or simply don't care about. It's time to change that narrative. I was recently reading Dale Carnegie’s classic book “How to Win Friends and Influence People”, where he said, “People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.” This quote struck me because it should also apply to meetings. Shouldn't we strive for our meetings to be enjoyable, engaging experiences where everyone feels valued? Now let's travel back in time briefly - did you know that in ancient Greece, citizens would gather in open forums for vibrant discussions? These weren't boring or monotonous; these were lively debates and idea-sharing gatherings which often led to significant societal advancements. Imagine if we could bring that same energy into our modern-day meetings! Instead of thinking of them as necessary evils, let's consider them as opportunities for dialogue, innovation, and growth. Do you remember Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous speech "I Have A Dream"? The impact of his words still reverberate today because he spoke with conviction, passion and purpose. He didn't just talk at people; he engaged with them emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. That's the kind of communication we need in our meetings! So how can we apply these insights? Here are a few actionable tips: Firstly, establish clear goals for every meeting. What do you want to achieve? How will this meeting contribute towards your overall objectives? Secondly, aim for active participation from everyone present. Encourage thoughts and ideas without judgement or ridicule. Lastly but most importantly – keep it short and sweet. Long, drawn-out meetings can often lose their direction and purpose. Remember, quality over quantity. Now, here's a random fact before we wrap up: according to a study by Atlassian, the average employee spends 31 hours in unproductive meetings each month! Let’s change that. If today's conversation sparked something inside you, I encourage you to share this episode with your friends and family. Maybe even suggest implementing some of these practices in your next team meeting. Remember, meetings aren't just about ticking off items on an agenda; they're opportunities for collaboration, innovation and progress. So let’s make them count! That’s it from me today. Stay curious, stay inspired. Until next time!