Avoiding Boring Online Meetings

​We are spending our lives on Zoom and other video conferencing systems these days. What separates a meeting you dread and one that gets you excited about the work you do?

Even before we consider the challenges of meeting online, let’s consider what makes any meetings deadly.

Pointless meetings

• Have no clear purpose, goal and agenda
• Without a clear purpose, a seemingly random group of people is brought together
• No one has taken any time to prepare for the meeting, including the person who is leading it
• The meeting is either way too short for the agenda assembled on the spot or way too long
• Conversations meander in unconnected directions
• No one knows what they are supposed to do after the meeting is over

So, review what makes any meeting work better. You can download my meeting planning worksheet to help guide you through the planning process.

Better online meetings

​A couple steps for getting comfortable leading online meetings

Plan ahead

Photo by Marcus Aurelius on Pexels

This is important for any meeting but especially important when you also have to manage the technology you are using. As a first step, finishing the phrase – “By the end of this meeting, we will have XYZ” is a great place to start.

​Online this is even more important. You will need to plan what tools you are using. You will need to make sure everyone can access the documents you will be referring to during the meeting, the files or system you will be using to capture notes and brainstorms, etc. Also plan for a lower tech plan B.

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Educate yourself

You need to familiarize with the systems you are using to run the meeting. Take some time to play with the system before you pull the group together. Consider testing some features with a colleague and see what you can “break.” 

Want help educating yourself? Consider enrolling in my four-week group coaching program, Effective Online Facilitation.