We’ve all been stuck in boring meetings before. No matter what field you work in, you’ve probably had to endure a session that’s gone on far too long. Recent surveys have revealed that the majority of workers think meetings are a waste of time. Even big business leaders like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk have spoken out against unproductive and wasteful meetings.
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One of the things that stops meetings from being productive is a lack of engagement. However, it doesn’t have to be like this. If your team is dreading meetings and switching off during them, there are ways you can change that. Your meetings should be fun and engaging, encouraging team building and idea sharing. With these tips, you can help make your team more productive and innovative.
Designing a Fun Meeting Room
Have you ever walked into a room and immediately felt bored and unproductive? Most meetings are held in cramped, dull rooms that do nothing to inspire us. If you want to encourage engagement and create a fun atmosphere, it starts with the space in which the meetings are held.
Practical elements are the most important thing to consider when planning the meeting room. After all, you still need to have comfortable and convenient furniture. However, you can introduce new ideas to create a fun and collaborative space. For example, just the way in which you arrange the desks can have an impact.
The meeting room itself should also have enough space for presenting and discussions without feeling cramped or small. If you don’t have a suitable room available, consider looking for meeting room hire London. You’ll find lots of options available to see the needs of your team.
Celebrate Achievements
Meetings are a time when you can address issues with projects or gather ideas on how you can proceed. However, it’s also an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of your team. If someone has done a great job recently, this is a great time to congratulate them and show that their contributions are valuable.
Not only is celebrating achievements fun, but it also helps to encourage and motivate your team. If they feel valued and appreciated, they’re more likely to strive to improve and get better. You don’t have to focus on individuals but can simply reflect on the achievements of the team.
When celebrating, be specific about what was done well. You can use metrics and data when reviewing performances and show just what a good effort they’ve made. It’s also a chance to talk about future goals for the team and how they can achieve them.
Listening to Feedback
Good meetings are all about sharing ideas, and this should also include feedback from your team. It’s an excellent opportunity to listen to concerns and issues and have people feel comfortable speaking up. This encourages engagement in the discussion and can help your team feel more secure in sharing their thoughts and feelings.
Ensure that every meeting has an allotted time when your team can provide feedback on the current project. This helps you foster better relationships between your workers and ensures that they feel their voices are heard. If you find it hard to get feedback out of them during meetings, ensure they have another outlet to provide it more privately.
Icebreaker Games
If you want to ramp up the fun and get everyone engaged in your meetings, icebreakers are a great solution. These are simple activities which can be enjoyed in the opening minutes of the meeting. There are loads of ideas for icebreakers, including asking fun questions about hobbies, favourite foods and dislikes. You can also play quick quizzes or games. Provided they don’t take too long, this is a great way to boost engagement at the start of the meeting.
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