Make meetings less sh*t

A no-show at your online meeting is so frustrating - and a waste of everyone's time, the organisation's money and is disrespectful.

There are three ways people can be no-shows. Each is darn annoying.

 > You're ready for the meeting. Make-up, hair, jewellery, lights, a glass of water and then the last and final thing... lipstick. (Okay, maybe that's not everyone) But they are late. And later. And then a no-show.

Maybe there was an emergency.

 > In a group session, there is a black screen or two or more. These are faceless entities. Potentially a hope of being out of sight and, therefore, out of mind. Another way not to show up fully.

Maybe there is a poor connection, and that black screen is just saving bandwidth.

 > You have a session where it is pretty clear that other participants are busily doing something else. Some things need doing, but there are also obvious distractions that make people no-shows.

Maybe an urgent task has landed on the distracted person's desk.

Now, this doesn't just happen in online meetings. It can happen when you are all in the same room. People can simultaneously be in and not in a meeting - not turning up, hiding in plain sight, or being distracted.

So how do you set up meetings that are engaging and productive? 

Does everyone know why they are there and what is expected of them? Is it even relevant to them? Are you running this meeting because you always have?

When setting up a meeting, consider how you make it worth the time and cost for everyone in the room.

 > Engage the room in the purpose of the meeting.

 > Share your expectations about why everyone is there and the great things that can bring to the session.

 > Be clear about what type of meeting this is - information sharing (and there may be better ways to do this), idea generating, or decision-making.

In a collaborative workspace, we need to be good at this stuff.

I can remember the times I have seen this done brilliantly. And that is sad. Well-considered meetings should be the norm.

When we stop wasting people's time in meetings that go nowhere, are not relevant, are unfocused or taken over by the loudest voice, we may start seeing fewer no-shows. Because we need people in the room - online or physically - showing up and making valuable contributions.

#doonethingbetter #meetings