How to run effective meetings for maximum impact
Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2025 6:28 am
According to McKinsey, 61% of executives believe that at least half of the time they spend on decision-making - most of it in ineffective meetings - is wasted .
This sentiment resonates with countless professionals who cringe when their system issues another meeting alert.
Effective meetings are about bringing together a select group of people to exchange information, perspectives, and data toward a particular outcome. Whether it's to make decisions, brainstorm, or develop action plans, the goal is for everyone to leave the meeting feeling productive.
So how do you run effective meetings that break the cycle of frustration? Let's take a look.
Types of meetings
Contrary to popular belief, the groundwork for a successful meeting begins long before the meeting takes place. The nature of the meeting you organize will largely determine this.
Depending on the outcome you are aiming to achieve, there are some common types of meetings you vp security email list can plan for your team.
1. In-person meetings
These meetings host all participants physically in one location – usually within an office facility.
Face-to-face interactions during in-person meetings allow for real-time engagement and make meetings more productive. They allow participants to communicate clearly and participate effectively, eliminating miscommunication.
Without the barriers of digital distractions, participants are more likely to pick up on nonverbal cues, making interactions seem more authentic . This setup facilitates instant collaboration, allowing for real-time sharing of ideas, debate, and discussion.
Friendly tip: Establish a “no devices” rule to minimize distractions. Putting away laptops and phones helps everyone stay focused and reduces the chances of unproductive meetings.
Best for: Innovation or brainstorming sessions focused on uncovering creative solutions to various challenges. Also suited to complex decision making with cross-functional impact.
2. Virtual meetings
Virtual meetings, or remote meetings, are the epitome of flexibility. They allow participants to participate from anywhere and using any device, such as a mobile phone, laptop, or tablet. These meetings are conducted digitally via a video/audio conferencing platform.
Virtual meetings save costs, such as conference room rentals, especially for organizations with an international workforce. Thanks to their flexibility, teams can make decisions instantly and avoid the hassles of organizing an in-person meeting.
It alleviates the need for participants to be in a certain location at a fixed time and makes it easier to organize. For example, the host can easily keep track of the meeting using AI for meeting notes .
**Quick sprints such as project updates or task reports and one-on-one meetings with remote teams.
This sentiment resonates with countless professionals who cringe when their system issues another meeting alert.
Effective meetings are about bringing together a select group of people to exchange information, perspectives, and data toward a particular outcome. Whether it's to make decisions, brainstorm, or develop action plans, the goal is for everyone to leave the meeting feeling productive.
So how do you run effective meetings that break the cycle of frustration? Let's take a look.
Types of meetings
Contrary to popular belief, the groundwork for a successful meeting begins long before the meeting takes place. The nature of the meeting you organize will largely determine this.
Depending on the outcome you are aiming to achieve, there are some common types of meetings you vp security email list can plan for your team.
1. In-person meetings
These meetings host all participants physically in one location – usually within an office facility.
Face-to-face interactions during in-person meetings allow for real-time engagement and make meetings more productive. They allow participants to communicate clearly and participate effectively, eliminating miscommunication.
Without the barriers of digital distractions, participants are more likely to pick up on nonverbal cues, making interactions seem more authentic . This setup facilitates instant collaboration, allowing for real-time sharing of ideas, debate, and discussion.
Friendly tip: Establish a “no devices” rule to minimize distractions. Putting away laptops and phones helps everyone stay focused and reduces the chances of unproductive meetings.
Best for: Innovation or brainstorming sessions focused on uncovering creative solutions to various challenges. Also suited to complex decision making with cross-functional impact.
2. Virtual meetings
Virtual meetings, or remote meetings, are the epitome of flexibility. They allow participants to participate from anywhere and using any device, such as a mobile phone, laptop, or tablet. These meetings are conducted digitally via a video/audio conferencing platform.
Virtual meetings save costs, such as conference room rentals, especially for organizations with an international workforce. Thanks to their flexibility, teams can make decisions instantly and avoid the hassles of organizing an in-person meeting.
It alleviates the need for participants to be in a certain location at a fixed time and makes it easier to organize. For example, the host can easily keep track of the meeting using AI for meeting notes .
**Quick sprints such as project updates or task reports and one-on-one meetings with remote teams.