Meeting Leadership Podcast: Recent Episodes
Gordon Sheppard
• Where can I find practical and inspiring leadership skills training? • How can I learn how to run more effective meetings? These are just a few of the questions that leadership coach, Gordon Sheppard, tackles on the Meeting Leadership Podcast.
In addition to learning from outstanding guests and getting practical worksheets, each five-minute episode is built to help you take action right away with useful strategies to help you and your team become more productive.
Gord’s approach is honest and straightforward.
• Thinking about the best way to implement your organization strategy? • Want to inspire your team? • Need help with solving a conflict during your meetings?
Find out why so many Professionals turn to Gordon Sheppard for inspiration and guidance to help them grow their leadership skills and learn how to run highly effective meetings.
Visit the Meeting Leadership Podcast home page to get additional resource links, show transcripts, guest information and more! https://meetingleadershipinc.com/podcast
Leadership starts on day 1!
This is just one massive piece of leadership wisdom that you are going to get as you listen to episode #156 on the Meeting Leadership Podcast!
That’s because you’re going to learn ‘Leadership Lessons From Canada’s 2nd Femail Firefighter’ and our guest is Shirley Benson.
In this episode you’ll learn:
- Why it is so important to learn how to take direction as a young leader
- The critical significance of concise communication
- How to keep up morale
- Why gender was not a factor in Shirley’s progression through the ranks because merit was rewarded instead
- Why you can only succeed as a leader when you enable the people below you to do their work
- Why it is so important to laugh and not take yourself too seriously and more
For more information or a full transcript of our interview in episode 156, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/156
If you are looking for inspiration from a leader who has dedicated his 40+ year career to serving the public at the highest level, then you’re going to really enjoy episode #155 on the Meeting Leadership Podcast!
That’s because this episode features an insightful interview with Jeff Fielding, the Chief of Staff for the City of Toronto, and an experienced City Manager and Chief Administrative Officer.
In this episode you’ll learn:
- Why is it critical for leaders to learn how to quickly reflect on mistakes and calm themselves down so that they don’t erode their confidence
- Why leaders need to have compassion and empathy for others
- Why leaders need to be authentic
- Why leaders need to clear obstacles out of the way so that people can do their jobs well
- Why values must be clearly communicated
- How collective accountability creates a wonderful environment in which people can make mistakes, fix them quickly and know that their leaders have their back and more
For more information or a full transcript of our interview in episode 155, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/155
If you’re a leader who understands that a good question has the power to transform reality, then you’re going to get a lot out of episode #154 on the Meeting Leadership Podcast.
That’s because we are interviewing Natalie Michael, an experienced Executive Coach and CEO Forum Chair.
Natalie is also the Author of ‘The Duck And The Butterfly: Coaching Questions For Leaders At Work’. And on today’s show she helps us gain a ton of insights into how leaders can get the most out of a great question with insights including:
- How a great question can get a CEO to open up, which then puts them into a great position to accelerate their growth
- Acknowledging that today’s Executives can’t have all the answers, which makes it critical for them to learn how to ask the right questions
- The power of having young people on your board to get their opinions about your workforce and customers
- Why leaders have to have more self-awareness, especially when it comes to creating authentic celebrations for their teams
- The importance of knowing your tone when you ask a question and more
For more information or a full transcript of our interview in episode 154, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/154
In 2020 the percentage of women represented on corporate boards in Canada is 18.1%.
Not only does this lack of diversity lead to less effective decision making, but the lack of female representation discourages many women from even considering the possibility of becoming board members.
But if you want to meet the woman who has made it her own social purpose in life to turn this situation around, then you’re going to get a lot out of episode #153 on the Meeting Leadership Podcast.
That’s because Deborah Rosatti is our guest for this show. Deborah is the CEO of Women Get On Board, an organization that connects, promotes and empowers women to corporate boards. She is also a sought-after speaker on board diversity, governance, and entrepreneurship.
In this episode you’ll learn:
- Why ‘diversity of thought’ is critical around the boardroom table and why companies suffer if they don’t have the right mix of people from all backgrounds
- Why having more women on boards leads to less financial fraud
- Why it is so important to find your voice and be your authentic self, especially as a woman leader
- The importance of being observant and being a great listener in the boardroom
- Why you should not be afraid to say that you don’t know something - and then commit to getting the answer quickly
- The benefit of doing frequent ‘peer reviews’ at the board level and more
For more information or a full transcript of our interview in episode 153, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/153
New immigrants are the backbone of growth for many countries.
But how do you help these highly skilled people to develop quickly, especially in the area of leadership, so they can be successful.
Well fortunately on today’s episode of the Meeting Leadership Podcast, we’re interviewing Doug Piquette to learn about ‘How New Immigrants Can Grow Their Leadership Skills’.
In episode #152 you’ll learn:
- The importance of recognizing that new immigrants are risk takers, which is a fundamental quality of leadership
- About how the Edmonton Region Immigrant Employment Council provides mentors to help new immigrants accelerate their leadership journey
- Why making assumptions is a disaster for all leaders (and how to avoid this)
- The importance of volunteering to help build up your social capital and more
For more information or a full transcript of our interview in episode 152, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/152
If you want to learn from an inspired leader who helps to raise 100s of millions of dollars to help sick children get better, then you’re going to really enjoy listening to episode #151 on the Meeting Leadership Podcast.
That’s because we’re interviewing Mike House, the President and CEO of the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation.
In this episode you’ll learn from Mike about:
- The importance of storytelling when it comes to fundraising
- How Mike removed some of his own limiting beliefs after climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
- How to inspire others (even when you might not be feeling inspired yourself)
- How to listen deeply and build successful bridges with the people you work with
- The value of hiring a professional business coach
- How to run a highly effective meeting
- The fact that Mike himself underwent a life-saving surgery when he was a kid, which has inspired him to work hard for the benefit of others and a whole lot more
For more information or a full transcript of our interview in episode 151, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/151
Are you a female entrepreneur who wants to build a community so you can grow your confidence, realize your true power and be authentic?
Then you are going to get a lot out of episode #150 on the Meeting Leadership Podcast.
That’s because we are interviewing Marcela Mandeville, the CEO of Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE). AWE is dedicated to helping women entrepreneurs succeed in a variety of ways, and Marcela is their passionate leader who has the experience and passion to help this organization thrive.
In this episode you learn:
- How AWE helps successfully guides female entrepreneurs through all stages of their business from start up to exit
- How AWE provides community to help women grow their confidence, leadership skills and a whole variety of support
- About Marcela’s personal passion for helping women entrepreneurs to succeed and more
For more information or a full transcript of our interview in episode 150, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/150
As a leader, are you looking for inspiration when it comes to running projects?
Well then you’re going to get a lot out of episode #149 on the Meeting Leadership Podcast titled, ‘How Project Managers Can Become Effective Leaders’.
On this episode we interview Project Management expert Elizabeth Harrin as she breaks down the jargon and helps us all to understand how to really get things done when it comes to leading large scale projects.
In this episode you’ll learn:
- Why demystifying jargon and putting what you are saying into plain language is so important
- How to seek out and win over key influencers so that your project will be more successful
- Why it is critical to remember where you went wrong so you can improve future projects
- Why it is so profitable to hold people to account after every meeting you lead and more
For more information or a full transcript of our interview in episode 149, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/149
Do you want your organization to become more productive?
If so, you’re going to really enjoy episode #148 on the Meeting Leadership Podcast.
That’s because we’re interviewing productivity expert Caitlin Lopez, and she is going to help you learn how to apply key leadership concepts based on the Lean Six Sigma approach.
In this episode you’ll also learn about:
- GO Productivity - an outstanding organization that works with small to medium sized businesses to help them improve their overall productivity and profitability
- How to change your work culture by learning how to continuously improve
- Why ‘daily huddle’ meetings are so valuable and a whole lot more!
For more information or a full transcript of our interview in episode 148, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/148
Are you a leader who is ready to transform your company culture?
Then you’re going to get a lot out of episode 147 on the Meeting Leadership Podcast.
That’s because we are interviewing branding expert, James Morrissey. Now not only is James the principal of the Met Agency, he also a groundbreaking practitioner who helps leaders to truly understand the value of real branding.
In this episode James will help you learn how to:
- Identify the ‘4 parts of a brand’ and also help you to take action when it comes to implementation
- Understand the urgency of getting your message right, especially when so many employees are highly disengaged
- Begin to identify your unique brand archetype, which will help you learn how to stand out from the competition and a whole lot more!
For more information or a full transcript of our interview in episode 147, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/147
Do you truly understand what you are worth? Are you getting the right level of compensation at work?
If you want to learn how to understand your real value, and also learn how to ask your boss for the right level of pay, then you’re going to really enjoy episode #146 on the Meeting Leadership Podcast.
That’s because we are interviewing Human Resources expert, Denise Liebetrau.
With more than 25 years of experience at Fortune 500 companies, Denise is on a mission to help business leaders get what they deserve so they can be as productive as possible at work and in their lives.
In this episode you’ll learn how to:
- Ask your boss for a raise
- Why you should value your own personal brand
- How to ‘play bigger’ and be so good that you can’t be ignored and a whole lot more
For more information or a full transcript of our interview in episode 146, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/146
If you want to understand the true value of investing in long term business relationships then you’re going to really enjoy episode 145 on the Meeting Leadership Podcast.
That’s because we’re interviewing Mike Mack, a high impact Management Consultant who has helped large and medium sized enterprises grow their value. Mike’s approach with his clients is to ensure that they set a solid communication foundation, and then make sure that they provide great service.
Mike is also the Author of two books that every leader should read. The first one is called ‘Remarkable Service’ and the second is titled ‘Relationships For Keeps’.
So get out your note taking tools, because there are many great takeaways in this interview including:
- How to turn soft skills into hard assets
- How leaders can earn Like, Respect and Trust from everyone they meet
- How you can benefit from the proven ‘Everything D.I.S.C’ profile and more
For more information or a full transcript of our interview in episode 145, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/145
As a leader, are you ready to learn how to take ACTION effectively?
If you want to learn a proven structure for organizational success then listen to episode #144 on the Meeting Leadership Podcast!
In this episode we interview Leanne Brownoff, a successful Business Coach and Author who ensures that all of her clients follow a measured approach as they move forward.
In this episode you’re going to learn ‘How Every Leader Can Take ACTION’.
Some of the key takeaways you’ll learn include:
- Why awareness must infiltrate your business
- The ACTION acronym (Awareness, Commitment, Team, Implementation, Opportunities, Next)
- Why leaders must learn to lead from behind
- Why everyone on your team needs to feel your commitment
- How to ‘fire yourself’ as a leader
- How to take advantage of new opportunities and more
For more information or a full transcript of our interview in episode 144, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/144
As a leader, are you living up to your true potential?
Well get ready to take it up a notch as you listen to episode #143 on the Meeting Leadership Podcast!
That’s because we’re interviewing leadership expert Jeff Nischwitz, a passionate Author, Speaker and a man on a mission to help all of us improve the way we approach leadership.
In this episode you’re going to learn ‘How To Unleash Your True Leadership Potential’.
Some of the key takeaways in this interview include:
- Leadership is about growing your people
- The importance of living in the present
- How walking backwards can help you become a more effective leader
- Why leadership is more important at home than work
- Why you should ask yourself ‘What am I afraid of’
- Why you don’t have to have everyone in your next meeting
- Why you should have a few goosebumps every day and more
For more information or a full transcript of our interview in episode 143, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/143
Whether you want to deal with it or not, you’re going to have to deal with branding.
To be effective as a leader you have to develop an inspiring personal brand.
And then, to lead a successful organization, you have to develop a powerful brand that your customers will love in the long run.
So if you’re ready to learn ‘How Leaders Can Build A Remarkable Brand’ then you’re going to enjoy listening to episode #142 on the Meeting Leadership Podcast.
That’s because we interview brand strategist Luiza Campos, and during the show you’ll learn:
- The necessity of creating a compelling story that your customers will love
- Why you should invest in defining your true purpose
- How to define your values and more importantly, why you should practice them
- Why branding will drive your bottom line and more
So if you want to learn the secrets of great brands like Starbucks, Pepsi, GE and more, then listen on!
For more information or a full transcript of our interview in episode 142, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/142
When it comes to leadership, are you ready to take to the Olympic level?
If so, then you’re going to really enjoy listening to episode #141 on the Meeting Leadership Podcast.
That’s because our guest on this episode is Chelsey Reschke, an energy sector advocate who has built up a substantial resume, not only as a successful entrepreneur, but now working for a global engineering firm as well.
In this interview Chelsey shares some of her best leadership suggestions including:
- How leaders can deal with meeting new teams
- Why self awareness is worth investing in with your own money
- Ensuring that your meetings always have a purpose
- How to improve your meetings by addressing the finest details (including setting the right lighting levels to inspire creativity
- Why you should keep a picture of your biggest achievements nearby and more
So get ready to get inspired as you learn from Chelsey!
For more information or a full transcript of our interview in episode 141, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/141
If you are in a leadership role, especially if you run an Association, then you’re going to get a lot out of this episode.
Because on episode you’re going to learn How The Certified Association Executive (CAE) Program Builds Great Leaders. And to help us learn all about this, we are fortunate to have Danielle Lamothe as our guest.
Danielle the Vice President of Learning Innovation for the Canadian Society of Association Executive (CSAE), and in this interview she gives wonderful insights into how the CAE program:
- Helps leaders get over ‘imposter syndrome’
- Helps leaders to get the competencies they need to run great Associations
- Helps leaders, who often work in isolation, to develop a cohort of like minded leaders and more
For more information or a full transcript of our interview in episode 140, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/140
Are your meetings too long?
Do you want to make them shorter and more efficient?
Then listen to ep #139 on the Meeting Leadership Podcast and learn 5 Reasons Why The 50-Minute Meeting Will Grow Your Business.
In this episode you’ll get inspired to:
- Ask ‘Why do we always have to have a one-hour meeting’?
- Figure out how to fit in a bathroom break between back-to-back meetings
- Take an honest look at how productive your meetings could be and more
And once you make this change, then you’ll have more effective meetings that will ultimately improve your entire business!
For more information or a transcript of MLP 139, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/139
This week our guest is Dean Joseph Doucet who leads the Alberta School of Business at the University of Alberta.
Not only does Joseph have to lead 100s of staff and thousands of students, but he is also the board chair for Edmonton Economic Development. He has multiple decades of experience as an academic and he has also worked in private industry as well.
So when it comes to leadership, Joseph has a wide variety of experience and he doesn’t hold back as he shares his best leadership suggestions on the podcast.
At the core he believes that all leaders should be authentic, humble and that they should always be well prepared in advance for all meetings.
It is a must-listen episode that you’re going to learn a lot from!
For more information or a full transcript of our interview in episode 138, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/138
Do you want to become a more effective meeting facilitator?
Then listen to ep #137 on the Meeting Leadership Podcast and learn the Zoom-In, Zoom-Out technique.
The Zoom-In, Zoom-Out technique takes its inspiration from cameras that have a zoom lens that you can use to either get close to see the details in a picture, or you can zoom-out to take in the whole view.
In meetings, if someone is going into too much detail about a subject, then you can stop them for a moment and ‘zoom-out’ to remind them about the bigger picture.
For example, if someone was talking for too long about cutting a specific line item in a budget, then you could stop them and remind them that you are having the meeting to consider as many cost saving scenarios as possible.
The Zoom-In, Zoom-Out is worth mastering so that you can get more out of your meetings!.
For more information or a transcript of MLP 137, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/137
If you are a leader who wants to understand that doing more with less is madness, then you’re going to get a lot out of this episode on the Meeting Leadership Podcast.
That’s because we’re interviewing expert Dan Pontefract, a CEO, Author, Educator and Change Maker who helps organizations to improve the state of their leadership and culture.
In episode #136 you’re going to learn ‘Why Leaders Need To Slow Down, Think Creatively, and Make Better Decisions’.
Some of the key takeaways in this interview include:
- Today’s corporate leaders have taken away many employee’s ability to think because they are piling on too much work
- Mental health and wellness awareness is growing, but that’s also because employees are more stressed out
- Profit without purpose is useless
And there is so much more that makes this episode a must listen!
For more information or a full transcript of our interview in episode 136, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/136
Are you a leader who wants even more motivation to help you build highly productive meetings?
Then listen to episode #135 on the Meeting Leadership Podcast!
In this episode you’ll learn '10 Reasons Why Effective Meetings Will Grow Your Business'.
You'll find out why improving meeting productivity will help your business to become more profitable, help to retain your best staff, move your organization strategy forward and more!
And if you want to start this conversation with your team, then geta copy of the free download called the '10 Reasons Why Effective Meetings Will Grow Your Business' PDF - available at https://meetingleadershipinc.com/135download
For more information or a full transcript of our interview in episode 136, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/135
Leadership is a choice.
And if you want to shift your mindset about this important idea, then listen to episode #134 on the Meeting Leadership Podcast.
In this episode we interview Justin Yaassoub, an expert leadership coach who has also won the Bravery Medal for his military service. Not only does Justin share his personal experience, but he also conveys the importance of why leaders need empathy, courage and self-sacrifice.
It is a must-listen episode that will immediately help you to grow your leadership skills.
For more information or a full transcript of our interview in episode 134, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/134
Are you a leader who is looking for some motivation when it comes to getting ready for a meeting?
Then listen to episode #133 on the Meeting Leadership Podcast!
In this episode you’ll find out how proper meeting preparation can actually make your organization more profitable, as well as improve staff retention and overall satisfaction.
For more information or a full transcript of episode 133, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/133
If you’re looking for best practices when it comes to leadership, then look no further than how Disney trains its staff. With over 50 million visitors per year their various theme parks as well as 74,000 employees, Disney provides the structure and training to build outstanding leaders.
And that’s why we are interviewing Dan Cockerell on episode #132 on the Meeting Leadership Podcast.
Dan work for Disney for 26 years and now he does high level presentations and training all around the world to help audiences benefit from his experience.
Dan is also a great story teller and the host of the Come Rain or Shine Podcast!
For more information or a full transcript of our interview in episode 132, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/132
Are you a leader who is looking for inspiration you can use to make your meetings significantly better?
Then listen to episode #131 on the Meeting Leadership Podcast!
In this episode you’ll hear 5 wise quotes and how you can learn from them and take action when it comes to creating a higher level of accountability in your meetings.
For more information or a full transcript of episode 131, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/131
As a leader, have you taken the time to become fully aware of your own attitudes?
For example, do you stereotype the people you work with, as in:
- All accountants are boring
- All sales people dress well
- All bankers are evil etc.
If this is happening and you don’t even realize it, then it may be time to learn about your own ‘unconscious bias’.
And in episode #130 on the Meeting Leadership Podcast we are fortunate to have expert Leo Wong to help us all learn about our own unconscious bias. Not only is Leo an Assistant Professor at MacEwan University, but he also helps to run the Social Innovation Institute. So Leo has to help a wide variety of stakeholders come together to solve complex problems. One of the key ingredients that he uses to make these efforts successful is to help everyone understand that they may have some deep-seeded attitudes that could be helpful or harmful.
So get out your pens and a thick pad of paper, because you’ll want to take a lot of notes as you listen to this informative episode!
For more information or a full transcript of our interview in episode 130, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/130
Sending out meeting follow-ups shouldn’t feel like an exercise in futility.
If you’re experiencing this obstacle, you may need to examine your follow-up process for holes. Good follow-ups can lead to faster feedback, deeper trust, and better speed-to-market for your products or services.
In MLP 129, I discuss why it’s important to use different ways to communicate during follow-ups so you can get better feedback.
For more information or a transcript of MLP 129, visit: https://meetingleadership.com/129
A great mentor is an invaluable asset for all walks of life, but especially for business leaders.
We all have needed a helping hand at some point in our lives, someone to push us in the right direction or warn us off the wrong one.
In MLP 128, Belinda Panganiban recalls times when she was inspired, and shares with us how she paid it forward by becoming an inspiration to others.
For more information or a transcript of MLP 128, visit: https://meetingleadership.com/128
Meeting rooms are more than just places to share ideas and decide the direction of your company.
They can be used to motivate, inspire and invest in your employees. Since your meetings should include the most impactful members of your organization, they’re the ideal venue to spread enthusiasm for your vision.
Episode 127 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast covers the ins and outs of inspirational registries. With these you can keep track of the inspiring actions that affect your team for future reference.
For more information or a transcript of MLP 127, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/127.
Meetings are a great platform to practice your approach in the ‘real world’.
For businesses that serve the public, it’s especially useful for sharpening your people skills with less risk. Making every meeting count also sets a diligent tone among your team.
Episode 126 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast explains why every business meeting matters, and how you can take advantage of them.
For more information or a transcript of MLP 126, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/126.
“When you learn how to open a meeting well--how to frame it, how to ask the right questions--you can radically change what happens in that room” -- Elise Keith
This quote is one of many jewels expressed by Lucid’s Elise Keith about how to conduct meetings in MLP 125. We go beyond that to discuss inspiration stories in the corporate sector.
As we’ve come to learn in her previous visits (see links section), Elise always has a deep perspective on things many of us overlook.
For more information or a transcript of our interview in MLP 125, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/125
The biggest breakthroughs in business usually come from the confines of a meeting.
As facilitators and meeting leaders, we try to squeeze that orange for all its worth. Only experience teaches us how to remove the pulp to reach innovation.
We discuss how to do that in episode 124 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast. Along with the reasons why you should standardize your meetings, we also provide a few strategies to get you started.
For more information or a transcript of MLP 124, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/124
The world’s best ideas may start in a single mind, but they are almost always executed through teams.
We sometimes avoid seeking help for arbitrary reasons like pride and the need for control. These traits usually do more harm than good, and it’s not different with meetings.
In episode 123 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast, we cover the reasons why a second set of eyes on your agenda is the way to go.
For more information or a transcript of our interview in MLP 123, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/123.
Figuring out what works for your company’s meetings is a process, and there will likely be mistakes along the way.
A savvy facilitator will be able to convert those mistakes into experience. The meeting room is a place where you can work out processes to use in a larger scale in an organization.
In MLP 122, you will learn how failing faster can lead to higher productivity, as well as the invaluable experience that can only be gained through a bit of trial-and-error.
For more information or a transcript of MLP 122, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/122
Most employees have a hard time buying into close-minded leaders.
While respecting the rules is important to maintain the structure needed to run a business, being too adamant about them can be a negative.
In episode 121 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast, we welcome back Belinda Panganiban from MacEwan. She’s here to help us become more open-minded in our approach, and make ourselves more relatable to our employees.
For more information or a transcript of MLP 121, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/121
Imagine a world where every meeting was poignant, helped build the team, and wasted no one’s time.
Many accept that their meetings are a necessary time sink, and abandon trying to create the ideal meetings for their teams. The impact of meetings on business processes means this is a grave mistake.
Fortunately, we have access to experts and meeting innovators like Christian Zierleyn from Yabbu. In episode 120 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast, Christian lets us in on what inspires him and gives us more on the tool and the philosophy called Yabbu.
For more information or a transcript of MLP 120 visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/120.
Paying it forward in business is more than just altruism; it’s an act that makes everyone’s life easier.
Sharing knowledge among your peers and community makes both groups stronger. The more knowledgeable people are around you, the more able you are to operate within that environment.
Episode 119 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast explores ways you can pay it forward and why you should.
For more information or a transcript of MLP 119, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/119
Money is a good incentive, but it’s not the end-all of why people get out of bed in the morning.
Some want to be inspired by the work they do, and to follow leaders who want them to grow. They also look to the facilitator to help avoid the lulls that occur from repetition.
Follow episode 118 to gain insight into the type of mindset you’ll need to be that inspiring leader. Also, be sure to check the links section for a few episodes in our Inspiring Leadership Stories series.
For more information or a transcript of MLP 118, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/118
Bad meetings leave team members disengaged with the company vision, wasting everyone’s time in the process.
Getting adult professionals to adjust their behaviors is no small task. The Successful Meetings Quickstart Program by Lucid Meetings is a great way to get your team more involved.
In episode 117 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast, we invite Elise Keith of Lucid meetings to expand on the value of her Successful Meeting Quickstart Program.
For more information or a full transcript of our interview in episode 117, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/117
Sometimes inspiration is a direct result of humility combined with a willingness to learn.
Seeking mentors with lots of credentials and a big reputation for inspiration is not a bad idea. You can find plenty of motivation looking at less obvious sources as well.
In episode 116 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast, we welcome back Derek Pando of Zoom Communications. He speaks on the subject of finding inspiration in unlikely places, and much more.
For more information or a transcript of MLP 116, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/116
How many meetings is too many?
It’s a question we ask often on the Meeting Leadership Podcast. We ask because holding too many meetings can lead to employee burnout if the actual workloads are heavy.
In episode 115, we explain why you should cut unnecessary meetings and move toward quality over quantity. A quick 3-step process is a roadmap to follow as you eliminate bad meetings.
For more information or a transcript of MLP 115, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/115
Before success stories can happen in business, a team of individuals must collectively buy into a vision.
While avoiding heavy-handed gestures and forced bonding, simple acts can change the culture of your company. Consistently investing in team members and treating them with respect is a great start.
Belinda Panganiban of MacEwan University joins us in MLP 114, to explain how you can promote the all-important buy-in with intentional actions.
For more information or a transcript of MLP 114, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/114
A lot of what we teach here is about a simple philosophy: be intentional about the process of meetings.
This same philosophy is shared by the creator of Yabbu, Christian Zierleyn. We sit down in episode 113 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast to discuss the finer points with Christian.
We discuss how each meeting is a process that can be improved, which can in turn be used to improve all business processes.
For more information or a full transcript of our interview in episode 113, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/113
Balancing out the personalities in a meeting room puts more focus on your company’s goals and strategic vision.
To balance the different personality types, though, you must first understand those you’ll likely encounter at any given meeting. Then, you can find ways to counter their weaknesses while highlighting their strengths.
Episode 112 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast identifies the most common personality types, from the ‘big picture’ person to the quiet introvert.
For more information or a full transcript of our interview in episode 112, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/112
As leaders, getting everyone onboard the company’s strategic vision is part of our ongoing mission.
Generating excitement in the agenda itself is another way to rally the troops and get that bonus motivation. In episode 111 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast, we provide 7 ways you can generate excitement using the meeting’s agenda:
- Include inspirational quotes that are connected to the goal
- Include new project announcements that are directly related to the meeting’s outcome
- List individual achievements in the agenda
- Include positive stories
- Include a note about refreshments
- Announce bonuses that are tied to what you’re trying to achieve
- Show how the meetings are moving the organization’s strategy forward
For more information or a full transcript of our interview in episode 111, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/111
For every reason we have to celebrate growth, there comes a potential challenge we must face to keep our position.
Most startups and growing companies will face questions over which systems to employ, which often leads to more questions when these systems are based on software.
Enter Elise Keith of Lucid Meetings, a software company that provides software, services, and resources for systematic meetings.
We sit in episode 110 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast to discuss their invaluable software and how it can help you stay ahead of the curve in at least one aspect of business.
For more information or a transcript of episode 110, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/110.
Video conferencing is a way to allow your team members attend meetings that matter, regardless of their location.
This type of flexible scheduling leads directly to more efficiency, since there is less need to state every point again and again for different audiences.
Zoom helps meeting leaders accomplish meeting schedule flexibility. In MLP 109, we meet with company head Derek Pando to discuss how his video conferencing software can change the way you schedule meetings.
For more information or a transcript of MLP 109, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/109
Something as simple as the golden rule can change the way you conduct meetings.
The ‘You be me, I’ll be you’ exercise builds on the idea that understanding a coworkers actions and the reasons behind them helps build teamwork. It’s not unlike the same lessons we learned as kids with more complex dynamics.
Episode 108 of the meeting leadership podcast continues our Meeting Leadership exercises, where you can get an example of how to instill this at your meetings.
For more information or a transcript of episode 108, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/108
Inspiration does include grand speeches and epic gestures, but sometimes it comes from simplicity.
As we seek to provide more ways for you to motivate yourself and others, we continue our Inspiring Leadership Stories episodes with Karmen Masson.
Karmen is a Certified Executive Coach and a consultant willing to lend us her expertise in episode 107 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast. She talks about what inspires her to inspire others.
For more information or a transcript of episode 107, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/107
The right tool can often be the difference between a successful break through and a stalled effort.
With the challenges of competing in business, the efficiency of meetings can get lost in the daily operations of a company.
To help with this challenge, Christiaan Zeirleyn presents meeting software called Yabu in MLP 106. Yabu streamlines meeting-related tasks to drastically cut meeting times and grant more ownership of individual processes.
To learn more about MLP 106 or to see a transcript, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/106
Being a great facilitator starts with approaching each meeting with the right mentality.
MLP 105 is a continuation of our Meeting Leadership Mindset series, where we examine the type of mindset that leads to success in business.
In this episode, we identify more aspects of the ideal mentality for a great meeting leader and apply them to practical actions you can take to correct your mindset going in.
For more information or a transcript of episode 105, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/105.
Every interaction we have at meetings is a chance to affect the attendees for better or for worse.
The way we communicate is often as important as the subject of four discussions. The goal is to have your cultural and self-awareness become an example for your employees to follow.
In episode #104 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast, we ask 3 Key Questions you should consider regarding your meetings’ language. Answering these questions should give you a clearer picture of whether or not you need to change your own way of communicating.
For more information or a transcript of MLP 104, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/104
Our Inspiring Leadership Stories are created to jumpstart your quest for inspiration
Meetings should boost your team’s morale even as they inform decisions, but inspiration isn’t always at our fingertips. To help you with this, we present a frequent dose of inspiring stories to choose from, so you can transmit that feeling to your team.
In episode 103 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast, Internationally-known businesswoman Eleanor Beaton lends us some of her own inspiring stories. Hearing what moves such an accomplished icon of women’s empowerment is always a boon.
For more information or a transcript of MLP 103, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/103
Understanding how to use the tools at your disposal is a big part of being an effective meeting leader.
Video conferencing is becoming an increasing part of how we meet, so meeting leaders need tools on which they can rely. Zoom is one such video tool, made to accommodate more guests with solid reliability.
Enter Derek Pando of Zoom Communications. He is here to tell you about Zoom, video conferencing software that we at MLP consider a must-have.
For more information or a transcript of MLP 102, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/102
Your meetings should always be in sync with your company’s strategic objectives.
In fact, meetings are a great place to reinforce your company’s vision and make sure everyone is on the same page. Each team member involved with these meetings should be able to express a clear understanding of this vision.
In episode 101 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast, we ask 6 important questions to help you keep your meetings aligned with strategy:
- What is our strategy?
- What are our top 3 strategic objectives?
- Can everyone in our meeting clearly explain the top 3 strategic objectives?
- How does our strategy influence our meetings?
- How do our meetings influence our strategy?
- Do our meetings and strategy combine to make us more profitable?
For more information or a transcript of MLP 101, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/101
Great meetings are the building blocks of great organizations
This is one of the many reasons we’ve continued the Meeting Leadership Podcast from the beginning, and why we’ll continue beyond this, the 100th episode. In MLP 100, we’ll break down why this podcast is a necessary tool for leaders looking for tips and strategies to empower their organizations.
Included in the show notes and link section are links to several noteworthy episodes to bring you up to speed, but you could also start from the beginning and receive a whole course in meeting leadership at no cost!
For more information or a transcript of MLP 100, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/100
Striving for perfection is a worthy goal, but sometimes B+ work is enough to keep things moving in business.
That isn’t a suggestion that you become complacent, but a reminder not to overthink small details to the point of “perfection paralysis”
In episode 099 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast, we visit with tech pioneer David Papp, who brings inspiring leadership stories to drive this point home. He shares with us the inspiring story of one Gary Vaynerchuck, a man famous for turning conventional wisdom on its head in favor of practicality.
For more information or a transcript of MLP 099, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/99
A mentor is an invaluable asset for any business leader looking to gain the benefits of real-world experience without the growing pains of trial and error.
In episode #098 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast, we continue our Meeting Leadership Exercises with Tracy Carroll. She is well-versed in the nature of mentorship, and lends her acting skills to our examples.
This episode focuses on the two-way communication between between an aspiring mentee and potential mentor. We’ll lay out the ideal approach and ensuing interactions from both parties, which will assume you chose the right person as your mentor.
For more information or a transcript of MLP 098, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/98
“The more you understand yourself, the more you’re in control of what’s going on around you, and you’re not just reacting.” - Lyle Benson.
In episode #097 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast, we welcome back Lyle Benson, who visited us previously in episodes 082 and 089. This time we invited Dr. Benson to take part in our “Inspiring Leadership Stories” series.
He gifts use with an invaluable excerpt from his lifetime of experience, including his own journey to self-awareness, 21st century leadership, and the Holistic Leadership Development model.
For more information or a transcript of MLP 097, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/97
All business leaders should have a direct way to measure progress, so they can see strengths and weaknesses clearly.
The same is true for meetings, where the good and the bad can have an effect on the productivity of your entire company.
In episode #096 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast, we go over our 10-point scale you can use to assess the effectiveness of your meetings. It is the same scale from my book, The Meeting Leadership Solution.
For more information or a transcript of episode 096, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/96
Self-awareness is understanding one's own character, feelings, motives, and desires.
As part of the Meeting Leadership Mindset, self-awareness in the foundation of the questions you should be asking yourself before attending each meeting:
- What am I bracing myself for?
- How do I feel about the other people in the meeting?
- What do I want from this meeting?
Asking yourself these questions should give you a better understanding of your own feelings, motives, and desires. That way, you can approach each meeting with a clear motive and without fear of being caught off guard.
For more information or a transcript of MLP 095, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/95
“Your belief in the vividness of your vision and your collective ability to accomplish it is jet fuel for your entire organization..” - Eleanor Beaton
The second part of our two-part series on radical conviction takes us into the heart of what makes leaders great. The episode is filled with nuggets of wisdom like the quote mentioned above.
By the end of episode #094 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast, you should feel the same empowerment all of Eleanor’s audiences are privileged to experience.
For more information or a transcript of episode 093, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/93
According to Eleanor Beaton, much of leadership relies on confidence and a willingness to rise to any challenge.
This confidence is not acquired overnight, however. Before the assuredness in your abilities comes the radical conviction required to push through challenges.
Episode #093 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast is the first of a two-part series with renowned author, leadership expert, and entrepreneur Eleanor Beaton. She shows us the keys to acquiring the type of mindset that creates lasting impact.
For more information or a transcript of episode 093, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/93
Bad meetings are bad for morale, bad for clarity, and ultimately, bad for business.
What may seem like a minor nuisance to employees could one day prove to be a cancer that leads to much bigger problems. In episode 092 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast, we go over 5 reasons why you should stop having unproductive meetings immediately:
- Bad meetings cause people to hold back important information
- People will try to avoid bad meetings
- Serious personal fights
- Enough bad meetings in a row may cause you to lose key people
- Bad meetings waste money
For more information or a transcript of episode 092, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/92
One of our goals as facilitators should be to create settings where team members feel comfortable voicing their opinions.
However, we must also feel comfortable voicing our own opinions. As we strive to create a sense of safety in our conversations necessary for progress, we must sometimes examine whether or not we’re speaking up when necessary or holding back.
In episode 091 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast, we bring in Certified Executive Coach Karmen Masson to discuss what stops leaders from speaking up. She provides us with a simple 2-step approach to speaking up that will help you put divergent thinking into action.
For more information or a transcript of MLP 091, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/91
“The sweetest part is acting after making a decision” - Indigo Girls, Hammer and a Nail.
There is a subtle wisdom in these lyrics. We talk a lot about the decisions meeting leaders face in this podcast, but we also recognize that none of these decisions matter without corresponding actions.
Episode 090 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast covers the pitfalls of inaction regarding meetings, and provides a handful of suggestions to help you become a more active meeting facilitator. By the end, you should have a firm grasp on steps you can take to become more decisive in your approach.
For more information or a transcript of MLP 090, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/90
Sarcasm was famously described by Oscar Wilde as the lowest form of wit, but the highest form of intelligence.
While the intention behind sarcasm might often be lighthearted, its effects can be more severe, especially if you’re in a position of authority over the recipient.
In MLP 089, we welcome back Lyle Benson, an Associate Professor from Macewan who visited the podcast in episodes MLP 082 and MLP 097. He is here to explain to us why sarcasm is more hurtful than most of us realize and why we should strive to cut it out our discussions.
For more information or a transcript of MLP 089, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/89
Becoming an active listener not only means you’ll retain more information, it’s also a good way to build trust and confidence.
The Repetition Technique is a tried-and-true method among facilitators from every industry for active listening. It is an effective way to clarify the subject being discussed and make sure everyone is on the same page.
In episode #088 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast, we welcome back professional actress Tracy Carroll to help us explain active listening using the Repetition Technique. We show you the wrong way and the right way to make the speaker feel like their statements matter.
For more information or a transcript of MLP 088, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/88
Meeting leader should all strive to create the type of environment where team members feel comfortable engaging.
That can be easier said than done with the mix of personalities present in most gatherings. There are a few ways you can encourage others to participate without being pushy, however.
In episode #087 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast, we provide 5 ways you can promote engagement in meetings:
- Praise people when they make a great point during a meeting
- Allow the appropriate amount of time for each person to speak
- Respectfully interrupt anyone who speaks for too long or gets off topic
- Don’t play favorites
- Be a great role model
For more information or a transcript of MLP 087, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/87
Basic IT setups may work for small companies, but those who hope to grow may need to seek help from professionals.
If you’re seeking peace of mind for your data, you should always be on the lookout for ways to improve your IT. This is especially true for companies who handle sensitive consumer information, who need to establish continuity in case .
To help you get started, we brought IT expert David Papp to explain the benefits of IT strategy. He also provides us with a free pdf download with vital tips, which can be found here: http://www.davidpapp.com/20questions
For more information or a transcript of MLP 086, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/86
As leaders, we face short and long-term consequences for approaching our employees without proper training.
Learning to conduct meetings can offset many potential misunderstandings and establish a cohesive culture within your organization. Failure to train leaders so can cause your employees to lose confidence in the company’s vision early.
In episode #085 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast, we discuss specifics on why it’s important to invest in training courses for your leaders, and why training is an investment rather than a cost.
For more information or a transcript of MLP #085, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/85
Leaders are always expected to be the most knowledgeable people in any given organization.
This creates a burden of expectation that cause many managers to overstep their level of expertise. Certified Executive Coach Karmen Masson steps in to help us rectify these pitfalls with tips on how to avoid the trap of titles and.
In episode #084 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast, we cover:
- Why leadership is about more than expertise and knowledge
- The downfall of prejudging before gathering information
- Dealing with the burden of expectations
- Using a learner’s mindset instead of a judger’s mindset
- Listening beyond the words and asking powerful questions
For more information or a transcript of MLP #084, visit: http://meetingleadershipinc.com/84
Inspiration is the most effective fuel for productivity and innovation.
Finding inspiration isn’t always easy, but digging a bit deeper tn be an effective motivational tool for your employees. Beyond the daily morale boosts, consistent inspiration can also help create the ideal culture within your organization in the long-term.
To help us with that, we bring back leadership guru Kathy Archer to spread more of her invaluable wisdom about inspiration and effective leadership skills. She gifts us with inspiring stories with a focus on applying it to business.
For more information about MLP #083, or to see a transcript of today’s episode, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/83
Constructive criticism is a necessary part of leadership, but a little positive reinforcement can go a long way.
To help us understand the concept of building up team members, we brought in Lyle Benson an Associate ProfessorMacEwan University. Lyle brings his wealth of knowledge to bear in episode #082 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast.
We discuss the importance of looking for the good in people, practicing the art of praise, and how building up team members can help you become more effective as a leader.
For more information or a transcript of MLP 082, visit: http://meetingleadershipinc.com/82
In any argument, it’s a good idea to pause and examine the good and the bad of each side.
This is the fundamental basis of the Pros and Cons Technique for managing disagreements, which we cover in episode #081 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast.
To help us explain the technique, we brought in experienced actress Tracy Carroll to act out a scenario where two board members are arguing over whether or not to give a raise. Both make strong points, so the meeting leader has to step in and settle things.
For more information or a transcript of MLP 081, visit: http://meetingleadershipinc.com/81
Opportunity cost is about comparing the value of one activity to another, when both could be done at the same time.
That sounds simple on paper, doesn’t it? Indeed, most business leaders understand the concept of ‘time is money’ but the hard part is figuring out which activities are valuable.
In episode #080 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast, we focus on the opportunity cost of meetings and how monitoring these costs can really cut costs.
For more information or a transcript of MLP 080, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/80
Basic IT setups may work for small companies, but those who hope to grow may need to seek help from professionals.
If you’re seeking peace of mind for your data, you should always be on the lookout for ways to improve your IT. This is especially true for companies who handle sensitive consumer information.
To help you get started, we brought IT expert David Papp to explain the benefits of IT audits. He also gifts us with a free pdf download with vital tips, which can be found here:http://www.davidpapp.com/20questions
For more information or a transcript of MLP 079, visit:https://meetingleadershipinc.com/79
No matter how busy we get at work, there is always time to acknowledge victories.
Celebrating success lets your employees know that their contributions are valued. It also boosts morale and can have a positive impact on all aspects of business, as your team will enjoy coming to work more each day.
In episode #078 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast, we cover the positives of celebrating workplace success for leaders with small budgets, as well as those with a little money to burn.
For more information or a transcript of MLP 078, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/78
It can be a big mistake to overlook the personalities of team members in favor of bullet points.
Personality types can unlock motivating factors and communicate more effectively with team members. Understanding them is also a good way to avoid upsetting the balance needed for effective meetings.
In episode #077 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast, we suggest ways you can use personality tests as a meeting leader. We’ll cover:
- Finding the right type of personality tests and choosing reputable providers
- How to apply the personality tests to meetings
- Tips to remember when taking the tests
- Fun ways to use the results outside of work
For more information or a transcript of MLP 077, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/77
As business leaders, we must always find inspiration in our daily lives if we hope to inspire others.
Word-record holder Martin Parnell is a person who actively seeks inspiration rather than waiting for it. He has climbed the world’s tallest mountains, run marathons that cover inconceivable distance on foot, and raised over a million dollars for charity.
Martin visited us twice before in the Meeting Leadership Podcast, in episodes 043 and 056 (links to these episodes are below). In episode #076, we cover another inspiring story about a marathon runner in Afghanistan who inspired Martin himself.
It’s truly a gift whenever we get to interview a real-life inspiration story like Martin, and this episode is a glimpse into how he finds his own motivation to be great.
For more information or a transcript of MLP 076, visit:https://meetingleadershipinc.com/76
Sometimes a hands-on approach to meetings is needed to grab your team’s attention and keep it.
If you’ve followed parts 1-5 (link to these episodes are in the links section), you’ve seen some of the tactics you can employ to create the type of structure you need for precision in team meetings. Now you’ll want to make sure the team members received these messages clearly.
In episode #075, we conclude our 5-part series on creating effective team meeting agendas:
- How to produce a meeting agenda trailer that grabs attention
- Writing personal notes to get each team member to focus
- Cold-calling as a useful tactic to assess the status of attendees
The free download explaining the AGENDA acronym can be fount here: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/71download
For more information or a transcript of MLP 075, visit:https://meetingleadershipinc.com/75
Business leaders benefit from decisiveness and accountability in all their dealings, especially meetings.
One of the main goals as a leader is to set an example for team members to follow. To take decisive actions and hold everyone accountable is a sure way to show your co-workers you take the agenda seriously.
Episode #074 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast covers the D and A of the AGENDA acronym:
- D for ‘Decide Now’
- A is for ‘Accountability Check-In’
- The benefits of a great agenda
A free download is available explaining the AGENDA acronym in print: https://meetingleaderhshipinc.com/71download
For more information or a transcript of MLP 074, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/74
Meeting don’t have to be dull affairs that team members dread attending.
With a plan to generate excitement and navigational tools to keep everything on track, your meetings can be both inspiring and effective. This might require a look at how your agendas are structured, and whether or noth they’re taking advantage of all available resources.
Episode #073 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast covers the E and N of the AGENDA acronym, as well as a few related tips:
- E for “Excitement
- N for “Navigation tools
- Navigation tool examples
- Related podcasts: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/12
A free download is available explaining the AGENDA acronym in print:https://meetingleaderhshipinc.com/71download
For more information or a transcript of MLP 073, visit:https://meetingleadershipinc.com/73
Before you can inspire your team members with your perfected plans, you have to grab their attention.
It is important to consider your initial approach before getting into the heart of the meeting. You want to have a clear picture how you’ll grab team members’ attention, and a set of clear goals as a guide.
In episode #072 of the Meeting Leadership Podcasts, we cover A and G of the AGENDA acronym and related tips:
- A for “Attention grabbing”
- G for “Great Goals”
- How closely should you follow Robert’s Rules?
- Consulting a strategic plan
There is also a free download available with an explanation about the AGENDA acronym if you’d like to see it in print: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/71downlaod.
For more information or a transcript of MLP 071, visit:https://meetingleadershipinc.com/71.
One of the ongoing challenges for leaders is to get team members to buy in to the process of each meeting. Some might miss the value of the meeting itself, while others would rather be behind their desks.
It’s your job as the meeting leader to get team members to buy in to the meeting process. A well-planned agenda is the foundation for a smooth transition from the cubicle to the boardroom.
In episode #071 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast, we start off our 5-part series with an introduction to the ideal team meeting agenda. We’ll cover:
- An introduction to creating effective team meeting agendas
- How to generate excitement for team meetings like Hollywood films
- The meaning behind the A.G.E.N.D.A. acronym –https://meetingleadershipinc.com/71download
For more information or a transcript of MLP 071, visit:https://meetingleadershipinc.com/71
The best leaders not only set an example, they inspire others to want to follow that example.
Where you may have been concerned only about completing the agenda before, inspiration opens another layer of consideration.
Acting on these considerations can affect how your employees approach your strategic mission, how they perceive the company vision, and the overall culture in and out of meetings.
Episode #070 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast asks the 3 important questions you should ask yourself about inspiring your employees before booking a meeting:
- What do we want to see on the walls?
- Should we post our strategic mission, vision, and objectives on the wall as well?
- Does this space support the unique culture of our organization?
For more information or a transcript of MLP 070, visit:https://meetingleadershipinc.com/70.
No one is immune to the pressures of work. As a leader, understanding how to manage personalities is a good way you can minimize some of these pressures.
As you become more aware of the personalities of your team and how to manage them, you become more aware of how to motivate and work with them to achieve goals.
Episode #069 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast is a set of tips to help you optimize interactions with team members:
- Getting To know each other
- Playing to your team members’ strengths
- Surprising each other
- Retaining techniques in a common document to use in the future
For more information or a transcript of episode #069, visit:https://meetingleadershipinc.com/69.
More effective meetings are in reach for leaders who are willing to share the spotlight.
Just as a good one-two punch is a cornerstone of championship teams in professional sports, the same tactic can apply to your meetings. An effective leader knows when to take over and when to rely on teammates to help carry the load.
In episode #068 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast, we’ll talk about how co-facilitators can help you stay focused on objectives, and how it can lead to much better feedback. In this podcast, we discuss:
- Getting help seeing things you may have missed
- Using co-facilitators to stay focused on objectives
- Gaining useful feedback
- Finding relief during all-day meetings
For more information or a transcript of MLP 068, visit: http://meetingleaderhshipinc.com/68
Inviting employees to unnecessary meetings is a double-edged mistake. It wastes the employees’ time, and it bogs down the meeting itself with extra voices.
As a business leader, you’ll often be tasked to manage your staff’s time in and out of meetings. This will include deciding who needs to be in any given meeting room and who should continue their work without losing momentum.
Leaving some people off the meeting roster is necessary for many reasons. You might want to keep certain employees apart, or simply restrict the attendees to a need-to-know circle in a specific department.
Either way, you’ll likely encounter scenarios when you have to uninvite certain personnel to keep things running smoothly. Episode #067 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast lists useful suggestions to clean up your meeting roster:
- Give yourself permission to uninvite people
- Practice before you uninvite someone
- Let them down easy
- Be firm and consistent
For more information or a transcript of MLP #067, visit: https://meetingleadershipnc.com/67
It is human nature to become more attentive, more productive when we have a good amount of space.
For that reason, it’s a mistake to overlook the spatial questions when you approach a meeting room. As a meeting facilitator, the 4 questions presented in MLP 066 should be a part of planning.
The idea is to place your team members in the most comfortable environment possible. Along the morale boost that comes with good space, you’ll see improvements to the overall flow of your meetings.
For more information or a transcript of MLP 066, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/66.
Intercultural competence is a set of skills that leaders can use to ensure appropriate and effective interaction with people of other cultures.
We covered why intercultural competence is important back in episode #039. In that episode was professional competence expert Dan Garcia, who returns to shed more light on the subject.
In episode #065 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast, we discuss how you can instill intercultural competence in your meetings and organization. A lot of ground was covered in this our longest episode to date, and here are a few of the highlights:
- Using diagnostic tools for self-assessment
- Understanding cultural nuances
- Adjusting to your audience
- Asking the right questions about intercultural competence
- Adapting behavior and shifting perspective
To contact Dan Garcia, visit: http://knowprincipia.com.
For more information or the transcript for MLP #065, visit https://meetingleadershipinc.com/65
Disagreements in meetings are inevitable, yet many are a necessary part of progress.
Sometimes a healthy back-and-forth turns into the kind of bickering that is a distraction. When this happens, an effective meeting leader knows how to step in and get everyone back on course.
In episode 64 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast, we talk about ways you can deal with conflict without losing that necessary edge. The goal is to establish a meeting environment where constructive disagreement is encouraged, but only within useful limits.
We'll cover 3 suggestions for actions you can take to resolve conflict in meetings, and a link to our podcast on the 9 questions you should ask about the people in your meeting room.
For more information or a transcript of MLP 059, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/59
Missed post meeting follow-ups are each missed opportunities to strengthen your business.
In fact, following up can be considered the third part of any meeting, where planning and execution are the first two. In episode #063 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast, we talk about why post meeting follow ups are so important.
We’ll cover the direct benefits of consistent follow-ups on efficiency, and how a brief action can boost employee morale. By the end, you should have gained another tool to help with meeting effectiveness and team development.
For more information or a transcript of episode #063, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/63
Inspiration comes in many different forms, and from many sources.
It can be difficult to find inspiration at work, where the daily grind can sometimes wear at our motivation until it's all but spent. Part of our job as leaders is keep morale as high as possible so employees are motivated to do inspired work.
We discuss inspiration in episode #062 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast. We arm you with the tools to become an inspired leader that employees can rally behind, which can change the culture of your meetings and your workplace from top to bottom.
For more information or a transcript of MLP 062, visit: https://meetingleaderhipinc.com/62
Staying calm under pressure is a vital skill for business leaders looking to have effective interactions with their employees.
As workforces are often a mixture of different strengths and approaches, opposing views are bound to happen in the meeting rooms. While some tension can lead to breakthroughs, heated meetings can also make it harder to build relationships.
Kathy Archer returns with more insights about how we can improve our reactions during meetings. We discuss the downside of approaching meetings with a task-based agenda and how to shift the focus toward team development.
For more information or a transcript of MLP 061, visit: https://meetingleaderhshipinc.com/61
Employee burnout is usually the result of prolonged stress in the workplace.
Stress can come from many different places at work, but it usually comes down to “too much to do, not enough time.” Meetings are a necessary part of our lives in any organization, but we should always be aware of how much time they are taking from the job.
This begs the question: how many meetings is too many? Episode #060 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast seeks to answer that question and provide ways you can cut the extra meetings once the line has become clear.
For more information or a transcript of MLP 060, visit: https://meetingleadershipinc.com/60
One of the main purposes of our meetings is to connect people in ways that are the most productive.
In episode #059 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast, we ask the 9 questions about the people in your meeting room that can affect how well they connect. The focus of the questions is which actions you can take to get the most out of their time and expertise.
We'll also link to some related materials that will give you a complete picture of the best way to approach the meeting room. These include the practical, spatial, and inspirational questions you should ask yourself before booking.
For more information or a transcript of MLP 059, visit:https://meetingleadershipinc.com/59
The follow-up to our meeting directives are just as important as the planning and execution, and overlooking this step could undermine your best efforts down the road.
Now that we have covered what you should do before and during a meeting, we'll conclude our three-part training on becoming a good meeting facilitator by explaining what you should do after the meeting is done. In the remaining items on our 15-question list, we cover accountability actions, follow-up procedures, and why you should keep your boss informed of meeting progress.
Completing all three parts and puttting what you've learned into action will have an immediate impact on your abilities as a meeting facilitator, both in terms of how effectively you run meetings, and how well you followthrough on the points covered within them.
The same gestures that are expected in one culture could be seen as offensive in others.
Understanding the nuances of our cultural differences is an imperative for any leader seeking to expand beyond a local shop, or even those who just want to instill real diversity in their ranks. Since meetings are the place where these cultural differences are exposed, we take a look at intercultural competence from a meeting leader's perspective. However, these ideals can apply to all interactions you might have with colleagues from different backgrounds, both in and out of meetings.
In episode #059 of the Meeting Leadership Podcast, we provide a few cautionary examples of ways culture can affect every interaction, as well as keynote speech excerpt that nails home some key points about how to approach intercultural interactions. By the end of the episode, you'll be armed with an intercultural approach that improves your ability to reach people from all parts of the world.
For more information or a transcript of MLP 057, visit:https://meetingleadershipinc.com/57