What's the difference?
Any meeting can simply be called and run. The genuinely useful meetings are those which are led. Every single meeting needs to be opened, then managed, and at the end wrapped up, according to an article on the management-issues.com website.
Let’s have a look into the concepts of running and leading in this context.
Meeting runners
- They schedule a meeting.
- They kick off the meeting and run through the agenda in order.
- They tell participants they want their input. They allow others to contribute but it tends always to be the same people.
- They use only the very minimum of technology, allegedly to keep things simple.
- They recap the action items and end the meeting on time.
Meeting leaders
- They schedule their meeting in a way that helps others to come prepared and focused. They announce well in advance the objectives of the meeting and tell people what their role will be.
- They start the meeting on time. They focus everyone on the desired outcome of the meeting. They set expectations and they hold people accountable.
- As the meeting unfolds, they make sure everyone has an equal chance to contribute. During online meetings, they use chat or written questions to allow for quality input. They can use their facilitation skills to give space even to participants who would otherwise remain silent.
- They know what tools they can use and are able to make smart choices about them. They use tools to visualise what is being discussed or brainstormed.
- They document action items and ask for commitment from the participants concerned. After the meeting, they make sure that all participants know who is accountable for what.
Leading meetings requires forethought, practice and patience. If, however, you are willing to put in the effort, your results will be superb.
-jk-