If you asked your employees to raise their hands if they enjoy going to meetings, probably less than a handful of them would shoot their hands into the air. While meetings aren't supposed to be the most exciting events in the world, they don't have to be dreadfully boring either. It's possible to conduct meetings in a more fun way. Here are five tips for making meetings less boring:
1. Allow Your Employees to Doodle
The idea of allowing your staff members to draw in personalized notepads during a meeting might sound counterproductive, but it can actually be beneficial. According to Bernard Marr, keynote speaker and author of "Key Performance Indicators," letting your staff members draw can spark creativity.
"You might storyboard a problem together as a group or let people in on the creative powerhouse that is visual note-taking," Marr explained in a LinkedIn post.
2. Don't Do All the Talking
If you give a long speech and don't allow your staff members to get a word in, they probably won't be that engaged. It's important for your meetings to be two-way conversations. After you make each point, ask your team members if they have any questions or concerns. If your employees feel like they are a part of the meeting, they will remain more alert.
3. Turn It into a Game
Another good way to get your employees more engaged in a meeting is to turn it into a game. For example, during the brainstorming portion of the meeting, have your staff members play Pictionary. Instead of just blurting out their ideas, team members can draw their thoughts and have others guess. Everyone will be excited to play and share their creative ideas.
4. Schedule Walking Meetings
There is no need to have meetings in the same conference room every time – your employees will likely get bored staring at the same four walls. If it's nice outside, think about scheduling a walking meeting. Lolly Daskal, founder of Lead from Within, said in Inc. that a walking meeting can encourage creativity.
"I find that people not only feel better, but they're more energized and alert because of the change of scenery of a walking meeting," Lolly said. "It improves their thinking, and they're more creative in finding new solutions and more inspired to do more meaningful work."
5. Start the Meeting With Something Positive
Marr recommends beginning each meeting on a positive note, such as talking about an employee's recent accomplishment. For example, if a staff member went above and beyond for a client, you could say something like, "I just want to mention how proud I am of John for staying late every day this past week to finish a project for one of our biggest clients. The client loved John's work and is looking forward to seeing more from him." This will put everyone in a good mood and set the tone for the rest of the meeting.
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