Running Effective Meetings For Dummies

Chapter 14

Stifling Bad Meeting Behaviors

IN THIS CHAPTER

Knowing what behaviors negatively impact your meetings

Figuring out how to address bad meeting etiquette

Stopping bad behavior before it starts

Let’s face it. People are not always good in meetings. They engage in monologues that reduce participation from others. They run off topic and down the rabbit hole. They may criticize others both inside and outside the meeting. Some may express resignation at the issues being discussed or let their mind wander when they feel there’s nothing that can be done to solve a particular problem. They may multitask to try to catch up on the “real work” they have to do, or they may try to be the center of attention.

These and other bad meeting behaviors are all too common in most workplace meetings. The science is clear: They derail meetings and make it extremely difficult to get anything good out of a meeting. In other words, bad meeting behaviors make meetings bad.

Although we are certain you can think of many examples of times when you witnessed bad behavior in meetings, an example from Joe’s experience is both humorous and sad. Check out the nearby sidebar to find out more!

SETTING A ...