What NOT to do in meetings
Summary
- Meetings are not for making decisions because of social pressure to agree with everyone in the room.
- Use meetings for brainstorming and discussing big ideas instead.
- Well-structured memos should be prepared before meetings to guide discussion.
- Avoid unstructured conversations or "word vomit" as they can be unproductive.
Video
How To Take Action
I’d suggest using meetings to brainstorm and discuss big ideas rather than make critical decisions. When everyone's in a room, there's pressure to agree, which can cloud judgment. Focus on utilizing meetings to explore various perspectives and bring different ideas to the table.
A good way to make meetings more productive is to prepare well-structured memos ahead of time. These memos can guide discussions by clearly outlining the topics you want to cover. This preparation will help keep everyone on track and ensure that the meeting stays focused.
It’s also crucial to avoid engaging in unstructured conversations or what I like to call "word vomit." These kinds of discussions can lead to confusion and waste time. Instead, stick to the agenda provided by your pre-meeting memo.
By following these suggestions, you'll ensure meetings are efficient and that important decisions are made thoughtfully and independently, outside the group setting. This structure enables creative thinking and fruitful conversations without the pressure to conform. Your team's time will be used wisely, and their input will be genuinely valuable.
