DECEMBER 15, 2009
Eliminate Boring Meetings?
We know you're a fun, enthusiastic leader people like working for. Still, the word "meeting" can elicit groans and eye rolls from even the most inspired team – especially one that's working as hard as yours. Studies show that employees with a strong desire to accomplish goals are especially meeting averse.
Ninety percent of meetings don't have to happen, says Suzi Pomerantz, founder of Innovative Influence. Of course, sometimes meetings are the fastest way to disseminate information and come up with that million-dollar idea. They key is to have few and keep them short (ideally 20 minutes or less), Pomerantz tells PINK. "A one-hour meeting can cost as much as $20,000, depending on attendees' hourly salaries. And attendees check out if they're accustomed to hour-long meetings and have trained themselves to only listen to what applies to them."
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TIME examines what employees hate most about meetings (disorganization and rambling is No. 1). Happiness-Project.com and HR World share strategies for overcoming hurdles.
Does it take you more time to arrange meetings than to conduct them? CBS and ReadWriteWeb.com review sites (some free) that manage all the back-and-forth for you.
Employees doodling during your meeting? Those "slackers" may remember more after the meeting than the ones still looking at you, suggests one study.
Want more? Pomerantz recommends This Meeting Sux. (Download first three chapters here).
Bonus PINK Link:Meeting with your managers? Here's how to communicate up.
