Your Team Members Aren’t Participating in Meetings. Here’s What to Do.
![Your Team Members Aren’t Participating in Meetings. Here’s What to Do.](https://connecticutnewspress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/9218-your-team-members-arent-participating-in-meetings-heres-what-to-do-780x470.jpg)
Ask yourself: What do people need to feel that their contributions are valued?
May 20, 2024
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Traditional advice for leaders who want to increase meeting participation call for clarifying expectations, setting clear agendas, and asking open-ended questions. While these strategies have their merits, they might not always work because they’re usually based on the leader’s assumptions about what the team needs, rather than facts about what they actually need. Managers who want their teams to be more engaged in meetings need to foster a safe, inclusive team culture, which requires a deep understanding of their team’s unique dynamics. The author presents several strategies for encouraging employees to engage during meetings.
Sue, a former client of mine, was starting a new VP role at a fintech organization. She found out quickly that the team she inherited had a lower level of participation, collaboration, questioning, and general engagement than the one she had left behind. This was particularly evident in team meetings.
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How to make your meetings matter.
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Luis Velasquez, MBA, Ph.D. is an executive coach who works with senior leaders and their teams to become more cohesive, effective, and resilient. He is the founder and managing partner of Velas Coaching LLC, a leadership facilitator at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, a former University professor, and research scientist. Connect with him on LinkedIn.
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New!
HBR Learning
Meeting Management Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Meeting Management. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
How to make your meetings matter.