Effective Meetings

Master one of the most important skills in the workplace: planning and running productive meetings. Whether you hold face-to-face or virtual meetings, become adept at creating an outcome-oriented agenda, staying on time and topic, and facilitating attendees to ensure full participation. Make the most out of each meeting you convene. Students receive instructor assistance and feedback on assignments through facilitated blogging and discussions.

Target Audience

This course is perfect for professionals who want to enhance their meeting management skills, whether they conduct face-to-face or virtual meetings. Ideal participants include team leaders, Project Managers, executives, and anyone responsible for organizing and leading meetings.

What You'll Learn at a Glance

• Determine situations when a meeting is (or is not) an appropriate tool to use to accomplish a specific purpose.
• Explain the importance of defining a meeting's purpose or desired outcome. 
• Define the role of the meeting leader, timekeeper, recorder, and participant. Practice conducting portions of meetings. 
• Construct a timed agenda to keep a meeting on topic and on time. 
• Identify tips to plan and prepare for challenging meetings.

Course Syllabus

Module 1: Convening a Meeting and Setting Ground Rules

• Identify the value of self-introductions and welcoming participants
• Understand the roles of leader, recorder, and timekeeper in meetings
• Establish meeting ground rules for participation and decorum
• Practice conducting mock meetings to simulate real workplace scenarios

Module 2: Defining the Purpose of a Meeting

• Define what constitutes a meeting and distinguish appropriate purposes
• Evaluate when a meeting is necessary vs. alternative methods (email, memos)
• Identify causes of ineffective meetings and how to avoid them
• Craft clear meeting objectives and desired outcomes

Module 3: Preparing for a Meeting

• Develop agendas with time blocks, topic leads, and outcomes
• Select and prepare meeting logistics, attendees, and materials
• Assign and define key roles including recorder and timekeeper
• Create templates and tools for productive meeting planning

Module 4: Facilitating a Meeting

• Manage group dynamics and encourage inclusive participation
• Use decision-making tools including consensus and voting techniques
• Apply strategies to handle common disruptions and difficult personalities
• Refine questioning, summarizing, and redirecting skills

Module 5: Following Through After a Meeting

• Document meeting decisions, action items, and next steps
• Establish accountability through clear assignments and deadlines
• Distribute concise, actionable meeting notes efficiently
• Conduct personal and team evaluations of meeting effectiveness

Module 6: Conducting Effective Virtual Meetings

• Adapt in-person strategies for virtual settings with confidence
• Plan for technology, engagement tools, and time zone logistics
• Encourage participation through structured check-ins and polls
• Troubleshoot challenges unique to remote environments