WAYS TO MOVE A MEETING ALONG

BEFORE A MEETING

• Do a team self assessment
• Develop a team plan to address self-assessment
• Have in place a decision-making process

STARTING A MEETING

• If the team meets on an ongoing basis, make sure to set ground rules about starting times (e.g., within five minutes, plan to start without those present unless there are extenuating circumstances)
• If your team needs time to evaluate personal or work issues, consider building it into the agenda
• If the team has new members, make sure to introduce them and take time to share information about roles on the team. You might share a personal interest.

DURING A MEETING

• State the obvious. If the team’s discussion has become too general, ask how the discussion relates to the specific issue and visa versa.
• If important issues arise that are not related to the issue at hand, acknowledge it. Make a notation and plan to address it at another time.
• If the team appears confused, acknowledge it. Summarize what you are hearing and try to get clarification. Write down the points, since it may be difficult to keep them all in mind.
• If someone talks too much or not enough, use facilitation techniques.

AFTER A MEETING

• Evaluate the meeting from all team members’ perspectives
• Follow-up on any team issues