True Goal Getters have a clear vision of what they want to do, make or achieve. Meetings can be an essential part of making sure these goals are realized, and most goals are not accomplished as an individual. Instead it requires buy-in and hard work from many individuals. Here are a few tips to help you reach your meeting goals during your next offsite meeting.
- Be clear in expressing the WHY of the meeting.
The intention and goal of a meeting or corporate retreat can be set prior to the beginning of a meeting and will act a guide for what will and will not be discussed during that meeting. This can help shift your meeting to true collaboration and limit the amount of co-blab-eration that looks like effective meeting. Additionally, a clear intention and purpose can highlight the critical few items that you want the most time and energy spent on. That gives clear direction on where the priorities lie. These intentions can be set by creating an agenda for each meeting with the outcomes clearly defined.
- Set norms and share the responsibilities of meetings
Setting clear expectations on how people participate in offsite meetings is another way to show how the time that has been set aside is valued. This also can lead the way for norms emerging that limit distractions and increase participation. Nobody likes being taken hostage by a few loud voices in a meeting. Once norms are established, give everyone a chance to participate in each role – assign a new facilitator, note taker, norm checker, time keeper, etc. for each meeting and let the roles rotate. You can even liven these up with a picture of Norm from Cheers to use when checking someone on the norms that have been agreed to (insert one of MEET’s mugs from the signature collection for where everybody knows your name). Sharing the responsibility also allows all people participating to be a critical member at every meeting.
- Before you leave, set time aside to commit to action.
Before everyone leaves the room and checks their Facebook page, be sure you have written down the WWDWBW (Who Will Do What By When). This allows you to review the commitments that were made throughout the meeting, keep everyone accountable for doing their part, and setting deadlines for actions to happen. Reserving five minutes at the end of the meeting to create an agenda for the next meeting is a great way to review this information and fine-tuning your future goals. Long after guests leave the art-filled and inspiring rooms of Meet Hospitality’s midtown Manhattan meeting spaces, you don’t want to productivity to hit a wall without next steps assigned.
