We’ve all been in them. Most of us have even lead them (I know I have). The dreaded boring meeting.
Sometimes it’s inevitable. A staff meeting to discuss revisions to the employee handbook, or how to properly use the online time cards–sure-fire snooze-fest. With some meetings, the material just isn’t captivating no matter how enthusiastically you present it.
Other times, the topic isn’t boring, but mentally you’re just not in meeting mode. The meeting agenda is genuinely important, but you still can’t stay awake and engaged.
Our reflex is to mentally check out. We play on our phone while randomly looking up and faking a concerned expression. Or we start planning the rest of our day, or dinner and find ourselves a million miles from the conference room.
Suddenly something brings you back–like your name being called, or spontaneous laughter. (This can cause an adrenaline rush you haven’t had since being called on in Jr. High Math while praying you wouldn’t be.).
So in an effort to avoid debilitating boredom or embarrassing moments, how can you force yourself to stay engaged? What do you do when you are stuck in a meeting and you can’t get out?
1. Find a way to add value.
You may not have called the meeting. You may have nothing to get out of the meeting. But you can add value. You can encourage the presenter with occasional clarifying questions. You can nod in agreement. You can take notes. When discussion is open, start by agreeing with someone else and then take their idea a step further with yours.
Some people leave meetings thinking, “I won!” or “I lost!” Change your thinking to, “I contributed!” When everyone gets up to leave the meeting, make them glad you were in the room.
2. Find something to follow up on.
Even if you never have a chance to talk in a meeting, keep a notebook full of your questions or comments. Then when the meeting is over, resist the urge to find a peer to complain with about the meeting. Instead, find someone who was clearly a contributor or leader in the meeting and ask a follow up question. This will prove your worth to the meeting and keep you engaged.
3. Find what others do well.
Some people are great organizers, others are great visionaries. Some are great encouragers, and others are strategists. Make notes of who does what well; not only to complement them on later, but to keep in mind when you are pitching an idea of your own or leading a meeting. Go to the strategists and ask them to help you clarify your plan. Go to the organizers and ask them to help put a team together to execute your idea. Then when it’s time to lead your own meeting, you’ll not only be more prepared, you’ll have an idea of who you want on your team.
I’ve lead a lot of meetings over the years, and admittedly I’ve bored some people to tears. But I can tell you when I see staff members on their phones, zoned out or not contributing, I don’t think “I want to have them in ALL my meetings!”
But when I see people who don’t just shoot down ideas, but come up with better ones–when I see people who find things to agree with and support–when I see people who follow up on what was said–I think “They add value. They make this place better. And I’d like to have more of their input.”