AA Round-Up August 29, 2007

10 Worst Meeting Offenses

Official Meeting Agenda

11:00 Begin11:01-11:45 Main Issue11:46-11:59 4 Minor Issues12:00 Adjourn

Actual Meeting Agenda

11:01 – 11:09 Character analysis of latecomers11:10 – 11:23 Sports & Local News11:24 – 12:02 1st Minor Issue12:03 – 12:10 Main issue (partial)12:11 – 12:34 Why meeting didn’t work12:35 – 12:47 Set next meeting date12:48 – 12:59 Character analysis of on-time leavers1:00 – 1:17 Free-form creation of minutes and

meeting report1:18 Begin 1:00 meeting

1. Being Unprepared

Be prepared

2. Showing Up Late

Be On Time

3. Being a Meeting Hog

Don’t Talk just to Talk

Leaders should steer the meeting in the right direction

4. Sitting Silently

Participant should join in the conversation, Leaders should encourage participation

5. Expressing Rude Body Language

Leaders should manage thosewho are being rude-no put downs-Don’t tolerate disrespectful behavior

6. Conducting sidebar conversations

Leader: Notice Chit Chatting?Ask if there is a question or concernSteer meeting back to the issues

7. Arguing or putting others down

Don’t make others look badDon’t discredit other’s ideasBe professional when you disagree

8. Leaving your cell phone on

Ideally there should be no cell phones in meetingNo Talking on cell phone during meetingPlace phone on vibrate and as a courtesy, leave meeting to speak on the phone

9. Chewing Gum

Gum chewing is never professional

10. Shutting down after the meeting

Don’t forget what you just heard in the meeting

Hold on to materials receivedLeader should summarize and answerany questions

10 Worst Meeting Offenses1. Being Unprepared2. Showing Up Late3. Being a Meeting Hog4. Sitting Silently5. Expressing Rude Body Language6. Conducting Sidebar conversations7. Arguing or putting others down8. Leaving your cell phone on9. Chewing gum10. Shutting down after the meeting