It's early in the morning, and I am waiting to go into another meeting. Over the four decades that I have served the church, and now Focus on the Family, it would be impossible to estimate how many meetings I have attended. How about you? The point being, I tend to agree with the one who said if all planned meetings were postponed, a lot more would get done.
This is what I have learned about planning and executing successful meetings:
1. People and their time are valuable. Do not waste either. Begin on time!!
2. It is vital that the right people are in the meeting. Decision makers and implementers are crucial.
3. Most meetings last too long. Strip down the agenda to cover what needs to be addressed. Be careful with non-agenda suggestions.
4. Never go into a meeting unprepared. That is when leaders get surprised. Be alert!
5. Do not neglect the significance of a prayerful beginning to each meeting.
6. Whatever you do don't die on every hill. Some things just do not matter.
7. Have a printed agenda — and, in most cases, it should be distributed beforehand.
8. Where there is an issue to be debated, make sure you have addressed that issue with "power people" before the meeting begins.
9. Do everything you can to keep voice levels and attitudes on an even keel. Once you ring the "bell of discord," it can never be re-rung. Know when to hold and when to fold.
10. Your attitude will be essential. Be a leader. Know your parameters. Don't say things you will regret later.
11. If you have committees reporting, make sure the chairman is prepared, or do not present the report.
12. Never introduce a new idea without having run that idea by trusted colleagues or leaders. Don't despair if your new idea is not greeted with enthusiasm. Keep moving forward.
13. Food and drink may add a little extra time to each meeting — but fellowship is a great way to diffuse conflict. Laughter is a leveler.
14. The items that are significant should be handled first or you could be accused of attempting to "push things through."
15. If you have a "power player" in your organization, do all you can to befriend them. In the end, most decisions will go through them.
16. Don't have so many meetings.
Be blessed and be a blessing. —HBL
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