We’ve all been there. It’s near the end of a day, and you’ve been stuck in conference rooms. One more meeting to go, and you are ready for it to be over with already. But then something happens that surprises you: you leave your last meeting energized, feeling like it was very productive and helpful.
That’s the sign of a good meeting. And it’s also a sign that the meeting organizer put time and effort into making it that way. If you’re looking to increase engagement in your meetings or just merely looking for some ideas for one upcoming, these ideas might inspire you:
Leave time for conversation and feedback
Listening is just as important as speaking in meetings. Some of the greatest ideas can come from general conversations.
Even more importantly, make sure that contributions made during the meeting impact what happens after the meeting.
Your team will not get engaged if they think they don’t matter. Show them they matter by following up on conversations, ideas, and tasks that are discussed.
Things to try:
Ask for help or how to solve a problem
Give your team options and get them talking about them
Recognition
It’s nice to feel valued and appreciated. Take time to recognize your team members for their contributions.
A small thank you can go a long way. Create a culture of recognition and don’t forget to recognize other talents that team members have other than what is on their objective list.
Things to try:
Hand write a thank you note and present at meeting
Put names up on the big screen / digital signage
Survey your team on how they’d like to be recognized
Create badges (pins, magnets, etc.) of milestones that employees can collect
Hold a weekly “Crush It” call
Open or close each meeting with a fun activity
Have some fun! Yes, fun (when appropriate).
Get your team engaged in an online trivia game, put together a fun game where they can share photos, or add some humor into your slides.
These are easy ways to get people more connected to their team.
You can also make your meeting into a small workshop. Give your team something they can build or figure out.
Meetings don’t have to be boring!
Things to try:
Poll in Skype
Pictionary on Skype whiteboard
Trivia game
Schedule a UX team review
User experience isn’t just for products. A UX designer can talk to your team and get ideas on how managers can improve meetings. This is a great opportunity for you to learn what your team really wants and what they see valuable during your time together.
The Digital IT team recently completed a team UX review and changed up their whole meeting approach after learning what the team needed from their manager and from each other.
Things to try:
Hold a UX review to get candid feedback
Make time for Innovation
There are lots of ideas that people have, but are very reserved when it comes to sharing them.
Set aside some time for innovation and let your team know that you support and encourage new ideas.
You might be surprised at the involvement you get when the team feels comfortable enough to explore the impossible.
Things to try:
Identify a pain point in the process and get people talking about how to resolve it
Include other teams to increase your idea ranges and experiences
Schedule innovation time
Change IT Up
Don’t be afraid to change up your meeting style. Our days are sometimes very long and tedious.
A nice change of pace such as going outside, being in comfy chairs, and in an open space vs. a closed beige meeting room can make all the difference. Even adding a speaker from outside your department on something new or relevant can liven things up. Learning new things can be very inspiring.
Things to try:
Have a meeting outside (weather permitting)
Invite your team to an informal coffee chat
Add an outside speaker
_New technology “show and tell”
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Hopefully these ideas will spark some magic in your next meeting!
Have other ideas that you’ve tried and work well? Let us know!
Jaycee Mey
Digital IT