How to Lead Meetings That Engage Your Team (Not Bore Them)

Meetings are an essential element in most workplaces, providing a chance to exchange ideas, give feedback, and plan for the future. But too often they can be dull occasions that many of your staff would prefer to avoid. If your team meetings are becoming boring, there is a risk that the team members are becoming less engaged and will gain little value from the meetings. Instead, consider some ways that you can make team meetings fresh, interesting, and engaging.

Rotate leaders

If you are a team leader, you may feel it is your role to lead the meeting. However, allowing other staff to step up can bring a new lease of life to meetings. It will make your team members feel empowered and allow the meeting to be led from their perspective, bringing a new way of looking at the issues. Also, as even the best leadership style can become routine, bringing in different styles can make the meeting feel like a new experience.

Change locations

Meetings do not always have to be in the same room. Choose a different room at your business premises or go to a different space. You could even hold meetings outside. This way, even the most routine meetings can feel new.

Gamify the meetings

You can turn the dull routine meeting into fun by gamifying it or turning the activities into games. This could include quizzes or games, with the team keeping track of the score. As well as boosting engagement, it can also encourage some friendly competition.

Serve food

Most people appreciate being fed and so will be in more of a mood to engage in the meeting. People also bond over a shared meal, so this can be a good way to encourage more of a team spirit. Overall, it creates a welcoming atmosphere that can bring a positive ambience to the meeting.

Start well

Starting a meeting can be tricky and getting it wrong can mean the whole meeting gets off on the wrong foot. If the team members don’t know each other well, then the meeting can start simply with introductions, as each member introduces themselves. You can also use icebreaker exercises such as asking each team member to describe themselves in a single word or to give a random fact about themselves. Other options for getting started can include a brainteaser or even physical exercise.

Take breaks

Even an interesting meeting can become boring if it is too long. After a while, some of your staff may lose concentration, need the bathroom, or feel hungry and thirsty. Taking a break allows people to refresh themselves with a welcome opportunity for a cup of coffee or some fresh air. It can also be a chance to chat informally, encouraging closer links within your team that can result in better collaboration.

Keystone offers group training for employers to equip their managers with feedback skills. If your employer might be interested in booking a session for you and your colleagues, why not show them this blog post and ask them to get in touch for more information.