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Are You Going To A Meeting?

We all go to meetings at the workplace, and in our personal lives too. Meetings take place whenever two, or more people come together to discuss any topic; with the purpose of achieving a common goal through discussions, or debates; and verbal interactions.

Meetings are held for a wide range of purposes; and they can be for anything, or any reason, including: learning new things, or selling products/offerings, or sharing information, or reaching an agreement, or sharing resources, or networking, or consulting, or for dealing with a crisis, or an emergency, or a problem; or for family reasons; or to meet spiritual needs; or for routine purposes; etc.

Meetings which are related to work; often takes place in formal settings. In some organizations, routine staff team meetings are sometimes held around conference tables; or around the actual desks where staff work.

Almost all areas of work within the operational processes and functions of any organization or community, require meetings to be held around the work being done, in order for the organisation to run effectively.

Are you going to a meeting? If so, you should know the answers to the following questions:

  • What type of meeting are you going to?
  • Who are you going to meet with?
  • What is your meeting about?
  • Why is the meeting being held?
  • When will your meeting take place?
  • Where will the meeting be held?
  • How will a record of the meeting be made?
  • Who will record the meeting?
  • How will the meeting’s records be communicated; and to whom?
  • Which people should know about the meeting; and when?

Before you leave for your meeting, make sure you take along with you, items which you will require, such as: the agenda for the meeting; minutes from the previous meeting; any background papers; or any action-items requested; etc.

During the meeting, make sure you contribute actively; follow the discussions attentively and act assertively throughout the meeting.

  • Question of

    Do you attend, at least one meeting of some type, every day?

    • Yes
    • No
  • Question of

    Do you attend, at least one meeting of some type, every week?

    • Yes
    • No
  • Question of

    Do you attend at least one meeting of some type, every month?

    • Yes
    • No
  • Question of

    Do you wish to improve your discussions and contributions made during meetings?

    • Yes
    • No
  • Question of

    Do you wish to improve your ability to chair meetings more effectively?

    • Yes
    • No
  • Question of

    Do you wish to improve your minute-taking skills for recording meetings?

    • Yes
    • No
  • Question of

    Do you want to know more about how to prepare effective agendas for your meetings?

    • Yes
    • No
  • Question of

    Do you want to know more about taking effective action on the action-items (or action-points) that have been agreed at your meetings?

    • Yes
    • No

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What do you think?

10 Points

Written by Daniel Obiago

4 Comments

  1. I used to be Secretary of a group meeting I used to attend on a monthly basis. I did enjoy that role, and did it for a number of years. I don’t have any role in meetings now though. But do miss it!