A well-planned agenda is vital for productive discussions, informed decisions and effective governance in your organization. But, many organizations have common mistakes that hinder meeting efficiency and effectiveness. Here are the top mistakes you should avoid:
Not Giving Enough Time
A plethora of subjects can result in unproductive discussions and less time to tackle every problem. This results in low productivity. To prevent this from happening, make an appropriate number of high-priority topics that are relevant to the meeting’s purpose. Prioritize items based on their importance, urgency and order. Also, be sure to include a space for “new business” or other unscheduled discussions. This allows the board members to bring up any additional issues or concerns to be considered.
The inability to include diverse perspectives
Invariably, board members will have different viewpoints and insights that are valuable to the company. Neglecting these contributions is a grave site here mistake that can lead to wasted opportunities and poor decisions. Ensuring an inclusive environment that is respectful of and enlists diverse perspectives, will result in the best results for your organization.
Not Following Through on Board Meeting Resolutions
Insufficient follow-up undermines the accountability of board members, and diminishes their trust. Establish timelines and responsibilities for every action, and then check the progress periodically to make changes. Also, make it a point to solicit feedback after each board meeting about the clarity of agenda items, the adequacy of time allocations and the overall meeting flow. This will improve the effectiveness and efficiency of your meetings.