Tips on How to Run a Productive Meeting

Most often good decisions and successful projects are influenced primarily by good meetings.  Here are some tips on how you could facilitate a good and productive meeting:

• Do not compete with members of the group.  Give the ideas of others precedence over yours.
• Listen and don't judge.  Paraphrase every statements and points and listen intently.
• Do not put anyone on the defensive.  Assume that everyone's ideas have value.
• Control the dominant people without alienating them.
• Realize that your interest and alertness are contagious.
• Keep all participants informed about where they are and what's expected of them.  Keep notes on flip charts or a board that everyone can see.
• Check with the person who owns the problem to find out if an idea is worth pursuing of if a proposed solution is satisfactory.
• And the most important of all... Give others a turn at running the meeting.  Those who learn to lead, learn how to participate.