How Are You Showing Up To Team Meetings ?

I always find joy in a good meme about “being over meetings” at work. My personal favorite is the t-shirt that says “ I survived a meeting that shoud have been an email.” Nestled in these memes are the feelings of millions of people who are unapologetically anti-meeting . I remember the frequent dread I experienced before going into certain meetings . Despite the lull that you may feel right before you enter your digital or in-person meeting , I want to encourage you to show up with these three things before each team meeting .

1 . Your Best Self

Have you ever decided prior to your team and/or project meeting that you would not be fully present ? You may have been frustrated at the “red tape” and undunded/unsupported mandates that are associated with typical meetings. While I understand your position , I want to offer you an alternitive perspective . When we decide to not be fully present at our meetings we contribute to the ineffectiveness of those meetings . Lets say that the meeting already has a vague purpose , combined with your vague imput , there can only be vague outcomes . Consider bringing your best self to each meeting. Your best self includes your creative outlook , wisdom and authenticity .

2. A Graphic Organizer

Often times in meetings we take notes that will never be seen again after the meeting . I believe this happens because we capture to many parts of the meeting without focusing on completed actions , next action steps , roles and responsibilities and deadlines . The four items listed above are the heart of the meeting. Check out the meeting graphic organizer below for an example . Try using the graphic organizer at your next meeting.

3. A Reminder of Why You Do The Work

When I was serving at in instuation that primarily served graduate / professional students I would often reflect on the hundreds of thousands of lives my students would collectively impact after they graduated . Once I had that thought in my mind , I would use it as a framework for the meeting. At your next meeting, keep in mind why you are meeting and who it will impact . Identifying your “why” periodically throughout the meeting will serve as a calm in the middle of circular conversations and a way forward when you arrive at an impass .