Let's face it. Most meetings under-deliver. The reasons are many -- everything from no agenda, wrong people, sterile meeting room, poor facilitation, monologues, lack of real listening, constant interruptions, late arrivals, and no real closure. But of all the reasons why most meetings disappoint, the biggest can be traced back to one, often over-looked phenomenon: the cluttered mind of the facilitator.

When meeting facilitators are scurrying from one meeting to another, multi-tracking, or just plain mentally overloaded with the flora and fauna of that day's activities, it is difficult for them to be fully present. And unless they are fully present, the odds are low that any of the people attending the meeting will be fully present, resulting in any number of funky meeting behaviors.

Sound familiar? If so, consider honoring the following guidelines for good meeting facilitation.

1. Create your meeting agenda at least 24 hours before your meeting.

2. Unplug from everything else you're doing at least 20 minutes before your meeting.

3. Get to the meeting room at least 15 minutes before your meeting.

4. On the way to your meeting, do not stop and talk to people who "only want a minute of your time." Ask them to email their request and explain that you are on your way to an important meeting.

5. If the meeting room is cluttered, unclutter it.

6. Do whatever you can do to relax, refresh, and focus. This might include meditating, listening to music, going for a walk, or reviewing your agenda. Whatever works.

7. Remember the words of Marshall McCluhan, "The medium is the message." And YOU, my friend, are the medium. The more relaxed, focused, and present you are, the better chances your meeting has of succeeding.

MitchDitkoff
Idea Champions
Creating the Innovation Mindset

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