Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

125. Making Meetings Meaningful, Pt. 2: Key Ingredients for Effective Meetings

Jan 23, 2024

24:28

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Learn practical tips for making meetings more effective and engaging. Explore different types of meetings and the importance of understanding their purpose. Discover key ingredients for successful meetings, including clear agendas and creating an inclusive environment. Reflect on the significance of clarity and engagement in meetings and communication.

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Quick takeaways

Understanding different types of meetings helps in designing meetings to fit their specific purpose.

Defining the purpose and outcomes before scheduling any meeting is crucial for assessing its success and engaging participants effectively.

Deep dives

The Power of Meetings and Their Purpose

Meetings are a powerful communication channel that can channel information, attention, and intent for the whole group. They are the place where the group's attention is focused on the same information, allowing for clarity of intent on what happens next. Running meetings in person or virtually depends on how well the group knows each other and how clear they are on what they want to achieve. In-person meetings are better when there is uncertainty and messiness, while virtual meetings work when there is clarity on the purpose and process. Understanding different types of meetings, such as cadence, catalyst, and context, helps in designing meetings to fit their specific purpose.

The Three Categories of Meetings: Cadence, Catalyst, and Context

01:35

Drive Success in Meetings Through Active Engagement and Thoughtful Facilitation

02:31

Take Control of Conversations with Intention

01:17

Introduction

2min

Harnessing the Power of Meetings for Effective Communication

2min

Different Types of Meetings and Designing for Purpose

2min

Key Ingredients for Effective Meetings

15min

The Importance of Clarity and Engagement in Meetings and Communication

3min

How can we make meetings more effective? How can we keep people engaged and interested? Whether it’s in person or on Zoom, here are a few techniques you can use to make your gatherings more meaningful, productive, and memorable.

Get practical tools and actionable insights to actually make meetings matter, as well as knowing when NOT to have a meeting. Join Matt Abrahams in a dynamic conversation with Elise Keith, an expert on effective meetings and communication. Elise explains the three main categories of meetings, and shares practical strategies for engaging participants, handling common meeting issues and maximizing productivity through techniques like parallel processing as well as other tools.

Be sure to also listen to Part 1 of our meeting mini-series, as well as the following bonus Meeting's episode from the Stanford GSB's If/Then podcast.

Connect:

Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website

Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io

Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn Page & Instagram

Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Stanford GSB >>> LinkedIn & Twitter

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction

Part two of the making meetings meaningful series, with guest Elise Keith

(02:01) Why & How to Have Meetings

The power of meetings for focusing attention and how to know when to conduct them virtually or in person.

(03:56) Meeting Categories

Elise breaks down the three major categories of meetings: Cadence, Catalyst, and Learn & Influence.

(05:49) Purpose and Outcome

The two things to know before scheduling a meeting: the purpose and outcomes - and how to communicate those practically

(10:00) Knowing When Not to Meet

When a meeting may not be the most effective way to achieve goals; ensuring respect for participants' time.

(11:45) The Art of Facilitation

Practical tips for engaging participants, and setting expectations for active participation.

(15:59) Tools for Creating Equity and & Cooperation

Think-Pair-Share, or 1-2-All, and harnessing silence to encourage equal participation and leveling of the meeting.

(17:19) Maximizing Meeting Productivity

Parallel processing for dividing work efficiently while keeping the team united. Plus, emphasizing achieving results in business meetings.

(19:01) Meeting Best Practices

A lightning-round of best practices for addressing common meeting challenges.

(21:20) Final Questions

A communicator most admired by Elise, as well as her three ingredients for successful communication

(23:04) Conclusion

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Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

125. Making Meetings Meaningful, Pt. 2: Key Ingredients for Effective Meetings