Team meetings can either hit their mark or make you want to pour lemon juice into ten paper cuts all at once. You can walk away from a meeting confused or empowered. Fulfilled or bewildered. It’s up to the person chairing the meeting to keep it in order. It’s also up to those attending to show proper etiquette and respect to all who are present.
How To Chair A Successful Team Meeting
Do- Look for some room to commend every team member.
Do- Allow room for everyone to express their thoughts on the agenda items.
Do- Create specific guidelines for how the team will implement agenda items.
Do- Create healthy and realistic goals for your team. Help them have something to look forward to as a result of the agenda items outlined. Having goals increases productivity.
Do- Use visual aids to assist with agenda items. Using print material, whiteboards, projectors, and other items will greatly assist with overall retention of key agenda items.
How Not To Chair A Team Meeting
Don’t- Single out failures on any one team member’s part.
Don’t- Insert random items that are not on your agenda. Your team will not be prepared for the item and this will inhibit the productivity of the meeting.
Don’t- Use “Air Statistics”. In other words, do not make statements as if they were facts. (Pulling them from thin air) This is especially important when referring to your competition. Don’t makeup items. This will only intimidate and discourage your team. Making up facts also discredits you as a team leader.
Don’t- Go Overtime on your agenda. Stick to the allotted time for each section.
Don’t- Develop an “I” problem. Always be selective in your word choice so that the meetings overall aura is positive and is fostering a team spirit.
Team Meeting Success
Have you ever conducted surveys of your team meetings? Don’t guess on the success of your meeting. A survey does not need to be long. Two or three questions should suffice. Some choose to keep it anonymous so that the team members feel free to share what is on their mind.
I am sure you can add to this list of DOs and DON’Ts. Whether you are in the property management industry or any other, what are your tips for a successful team meeting?
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Written by Jonathan Saar