On the procedural side, meetings must have set time-limits. Participants lose focus when meetings drag on and are more likely to remain engaged when they know that a meeting has a definite end. Time-parameters make it easier for managers to refuse to entertain an off-topic question, which helps to eliminate a major cause of unproductive meetings.

Good preparation and effective facilitation are all it takes to run a successful meeting. By investing time in planning and strategizing, managers avoid stuttering through difficult topics. A clear agenda not only helps managers deliver their message, but it also helps attendees receive the message. Planning offers comfort, which builds confidence and a take-charge attitude. Pushovers get swept under the rug, but self-assured managers captivate their audiences from beginning to end. With foresight and fortitude managers can avoid the hiccups that cause meetings to go awry.

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