Berger Leadership Blog

Some people love meetings, others certainly don’t. Regardless of your opinion, they purposefully bring people together and it’s up to leaders to ensure they are efficient and effective. In an article on Inc.com, Jeff Haden explains how to hold better meetings.

Haden shares research that found 90 percent of employees don’t find meetings valuable and are 70 percent more productive when they have fewer meetings. So how do we make them productive? According to Haden, a great way to accomplish this is to reframe participants’ thinking.

Negativity in meetings is common. We’ve all heard what Haden refers to as “killer phrases,” such as “there’s no way we can do this” or “nothing can fix that.” Alternatively, he says to reframe those to problems with solutions. If a project is delayed, don’t say that it can’t be done on time. Instead, ask who else could help with the project to speed it up. By reframing topics for discussion as problems that need a solution, it creates a productive environment that brings solutions to the table.

Haden reminds us that the goal of meetings “should be to actually do something.” This can be tough, especially when meetings are required like they are for credit union boards, but it’s easier to have a productive meeting when you solve problems and craft new ideas together. And this is always easier to accomplish when there is an actual agenda for the meeting.

Speaking of credit union boards, has your board registered for NAFCU’s Board of Directors and Supervisory Committee Conference? This conference in Savannah, Ga., delivers the latest on the economy, updates from Washington, D.C., and ensures board members thoroughly understand their fiduciary duties and other roles and responsibilities. Have them register soon to receive a generous limited-time savings offer. I can attest, it won’t be a waste of their time!