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by Dr. Karla Bester
Meetings are an essential component of professional life, acting as a platform for collaboration, decision-making, and progress. However, the way a meeting begins can greatly influence its outcome. Utilizing the right phrases at the start can set a positive tone, foster engagement, and cultivate a productive meeting culture. In this blog, we will explore a set of powerful phrases that can transform your meetings into valuable and efficient gatherings.
Expressing Appreciation: The statement "Thank you all for being here today. Let's start our meeting engaged with intentionality and share one highlight from last week," serves as a powerful opener, expressing gratitude for participants' time and effort. By acknowledging their presence and contributions, you create an atmosphere of respect and value, setting the stage for a more engaged and committed audience.
Verifying Readiness and Engagement: "Let's take a moment to make sure everyone is present and ready to participate in today's meeting." Taking a moment to make sure everyone is present and ready to participate in today's meeting showcases the importance of active engagement. This phrase prepares attendees mentally, aligning their focus with the meeting objectives. Acknowledging openness for questions or concerns further encourages inclusivity and active participation, resulting in more fruitful discussions. This would also be a good time to review some norms.
Remembering Shared Goals: "As we progress through our meeting today, let's remember our shared goals and objectives for the meeting." Reflecting on our shared goals and objectives places the meeting's purpose at the forefront. This phrase reminds participants that their contributions are meaningful and connected to a larger objective. It cultivates enthusiasm and a sense of unity, reinforcing the value of collective efforts towards accomplishing common goals.
Building Continuity: "Before diving into the agenda, let's review the highlights from our previous meeting." This statement refreshes everyone's memory, ensuring a smooth transition and serves as a reminder of unresolved topics. It promotes a sense of progress and accountability, while helping attendees maintain focus and build upon previous discussions.
Cultivating an Open and Collaborative Atmosphere: Statements like "Let's build an atmosphere of open communication and collaboration," encourage active listening, respect for differing opinions, and engaged dialogues. This creates an environment where ideas are freely shared, innovative solutions are generated, and individuals feel valued and empowered. Embracing diverse perspectives leads to more comprehensive and impactful outcomes.
Starting a meeting with intention and employing these powerful phrases can elevate the experience and effectiveness of your discussions. Expressing gratitude, verifying readiness, maintaining focus, and fostering collaboration creates a space where ideas thrive and productivity soars. Take the initiative to incorporate some of these phrases into your meetings, and witness the transformative impact they make on engagement, teamwork, and the achievement of shared objectives. With these powerful phrases, you are well on your way to turning meetings into valuable opportunities for growth and success.