People are spending more time in meetings now than they were in 2020 — and most believe these sessions are both unproductive and inefficient. About one in four American workers feel meetings don’t accomplish anything or have a conclusion.
However, weekly team meetings are still an important tool for sales reps to stay aligned and motivated. The key is keeping them focused, engaging and action oriented. You shouldn’t make them a check-the-box activity but use them to spark new ideas and drive performance.
Want to make every minute count at your team meetings? Lolly Daskal, a renowned leadership coach and author, says it’s essential to revitalize your gatherings with strategies that engage and invigorate your team members. She likes to take a more holistic and interactive approach to foster better communication and collaboration.
In this issue of PromoPro Daily, we share some of Daskal’s top insights for taking your team meetings beyond mere agenda points.
Break the ice. Open your weekly team meetings with some casual chit-chat. You could discuss the previous night’s big game or talk about weekend plans. Daskal says this is a way to foster camaraderie and create a relaxed atmosphere.
Do a quick roundtable. Go around the table and give each team member a chance to briefly recap their progress and achievements. According to Daskal, this not only keeps everyone on the same page, but it also builds a culture or recognition and accountability.
Address concerns. If a sales rep has a question or is facing a challenge, Daskal recommends using the weekly team meeting to offer support and brainstorm solutions together. When you create a supportive environment, everyone will begin to feel comfortable sharing their challenges.
Realign on goals. Make sure you frequently check in on your team’s objective and long-term vision. Daskal says this helps reinforce a sense of shared purpose and keeps everyone aligned with the team’s overarching goals.
Clarify action items and responsibilities. At the end of every meeting, everyone should be clear on who’s doing what and by when. Daskal advises assigning responsibilities and setting deadlines to ensure clarity and commitment on deliverables until the next meeting.
Remember that meetings are opportunities for connection and growth. They don’t have to be dreaded items on everyone’s calendars. When you incorporate the ideas above, you might just discover that your employees look forward to your weekly get-togethers.
Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: Lolly Daskal is founder of Lead from Within, a global leadership, executive coaching and consulting firm based in New York City. She is a best-selling author and one of the world’s most sought-after executive leadership coaches
