By Michael Gidlewski

I love meetings! Did you ever think you would hear someone say that?

As a business consultant, I am fervently passionate about the importance of meetings. I believe knowing how to effectively lead a meeting is fundamental to executing on your strategic goals. Meetings are where the magic happens: planning, monitoring progress, collaboration.

Why, then, does the Harvard Review report that, out of 182 senior level managers surveyed, 71 percent say that meetings are unproductive and inefficient?

The reason is simple: Those meetings are not following at least one of the following criteria. We want to share some information with you from our partners, Results.com. If you follow this process, you can maximize the results of your meetings and then maybe you will love them, too.

1. Purpose: Why are you having the meeting? Every meeting must have a stated purpose and it must be something specific and worthwhile. The purpose should require collaboration among the team members for the best possible outcome.
2. Preparation: Every person attending the meeting should prepare for it. All participants should know what data they need to bring to the meeting and be ready to discuss it.
3. Process: Meetings should have an agenda. Plan out each step of the meeting, specifically what needs to be discussed and how much time you will dedicate to each topic. You can start the meeting with a brief icebreaker and always end the meeting on a positive note.
4. Participation: Everyone in the meeting should participate. Each person attending needs to contribute something.
5. Progress: Each person in the meeting should leave with a clear understanding of his/her next steps. And every member of the meeting should receive some benefit from it.

If you want to read more about how to lead productive meetings, click here to download a free e-book, Integrated Meetings: Meaningful Meetings That Get Real Results by Results.com.

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Michael Gidlewski is President of West Chester-based Achievement Unlimited, Inc., as well as a growth catalyst and motivational speaker. He works with motivated business owners and entrepreneurs to clearly define the elements of what they dearly want their businesses and lives to look like, then helps them connect all the moving parts that make up those visions to consistent action and habits. Michael can be reached at 610-793-6609 or via e-mail at michael@achievable.com.

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