I'll remain deliberately vague about all this because I'm about to blog about work which is a patented no-no. It is not like I'll be saying bad things about work..just talking about a neutral topic.
I have a conference call tomorrow which I am supposed to lead that is supposed to have people representing 25 different universities around the country. This is for a project I am the lead on here at work. I'm nervous. I have never done anything like this before, and I always worry that my style of meeting (get to the point, move through the items, be done early) isn't conducive to certain things. When I'm on calls with other leaders sometimes I just want to move on from a topic, but people keep beating a dead horse. So, I certainly will not change my style completely, but maybe when I ask if anyone has questions or comments I'll make sure I count to 10 before I move on. I'm still nervous. It isn't like I don't know this stuff inside and out-but new stuff is scary.
3 comments:
I think you have the right approach. If you don't keep people on target (especially for a group that large), the meeting can last forever, and you might actually get less accomplished. Everyone might not appreciate you keeping the conversation moving, but a lot of them will. I hope it goes great for you.
Never delay the end of a meeting or the beginning of a cocktail hour.
My feeling is that if you give folks a heads up, (about your style or whatever), They know what to expect and will comply with much less animosity. So as you begin, simply say something like..."here's how I'd like to see this conference call work", perhaps specifying the amount of times a person may speak or how long then just move on. You;ll be great and I'm sure many will thank you!
Thanks you two. I just finished the call. I think it went well- and so did my boss. I did give them a heads up on my style, but it was closer to the end than the beginning. I said "i was just telling someone here in the office that I like my meetings productive and short". people laughed. Someone replied, "I'm really going to enjoy working with you" and people laughed again. I think it went well. yea! my adrenalin is still pumping though...
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