Meetings

Take this survey to help you determine your “meeting savvy!”

5 = Always 4 = Most of the time 3 = Some of the time 2 = Hardly Ever 1 = Never

Using the scale above, indicate the extent to which you…

In advance of the meeting:

___Communicate time and place well in advance of meeting. This maximizes attendance.

___Provide participants an opportunity to contribute to the agenda. This creates interest, buy-in, and shows respect.

___Distribute the agenda before the meeting. This helps people know what to expect.

___Distribute information relating to the issues to be discussed at the meeting. This allows participants to prepare properly, and saves time at the meeting.

At the meeting

___Have an agenda. This gives everyone, especially the leader, a roadmap.

___Have an icebreaker. This generates familiarity, fun, and sets an energetic tone for the meeting.

___Start on time. Always. This shows respect for the participants and doesn’t “reward” those who come late.

___Record agreed upon actions, in a “who’s going to do what by when” format. This minimizes misunderstandings about actions and allows the chairman to easily follow up.

___ Once all the appropriate information is shared, let the committee decide. This builds buy-in and commitment among committee members.

___Facilitate the meeting. The chairman is the “meeting traffic cop.” The better the chairman manages the meeting, the greater the results.

___Involve everyone. This increases the quality of results and improves participants’ commitment to the tasks.

___Recognize and reward accomplishments. This sustains energy and commitment.

___Have fun. The more enjoyable the experience is, the better the attendance, the greater the quality of result.

___End the meeting when the business is done. Too many meetings drag on to fill the planned time frame. Ending at the completion of the business builds confidence in the chairman and commitment by the participant.

After the meeting:

___Share the agreed upon assignments. By mailing or emailing the summary, this information brings quicker results, and avoids misunderstandings.

___Set diaries on actions decided. By following up before the due date, assignments have a better chance of being done, aiding results.

___Appreciate work accomplished. This gains great buy-in and commitment, and adds to the overall energy.

Copyright, 2004-13, Marsha D. Egan, The Egan Group, Inc., author of the book, “Making Good Meetings Great,” available on Amazon or on our website. For more information about the book, click here.

To download a PDF of this checklist, click here. You are welcome and encouraged to share this useful assessment!