Tip of the week: How to run a meeting

Watch the clock. Creating a disciplined “meeting culture” is critical, and begins with the leader’s commitment to starting and finishing meetings on time. Doing so “leads to better preparations by the participants,” says former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

Expand the circle. Resist the tendency to limit a meeting to only the most obvious decision-makers. “Some people prefer very small meetings,” says Rumsfeld, “but when you’re inclusive you’re much more likely to hear different perspectives.”

Guide the presentations. Advise each presenter to eliminate jargon and avoid launching immediately into any proposal. “What I’ve tried to do is to encourage people to say, ‘Here’s the subject matter, and here are my assumptions,’” says Rumsfeld. That practice aids listeners’ contributions.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up

Source: Bloomberg Businessweek