Rate yourself as a meeting participant
Often participants presume that ensuring the success of the meeting is the responsibility of the leader. However, there is a great deal that each participant can do in order to add value and improve the outcome of the meeting.
Please score yourself in the questions below and then reflect on what you could do, as a participant, in order to make those meetings more effective.
Instructions: Check ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to each of the following questions based on how you act (or would act) as a meeting participant. Be honest.
YES | NO |
_____ _____ 1. Do I typically know the purpose of the meetings I attend?
_____ _____ 2. Do I have a clear understanding of my role in meetings attended?
_____ _____ 3. Do I confirm my attendance in advance of the meeting?
_____ _____ 4. Do I complete required ‘homework’ such as looking up information or
studying proposals?
_____ _____ 5. Do I arrive at meetings before they are scheduled to begin?
_____ _____ 6. Do I engage in side conversations while the meeting is in progress?
_____ _____ 7. Do I leave meetings for reasons such as non-emergency telephone
calls?
_____ _____ 8. Do I ask questions when I am not sure about something?
_____ _____ 9. Am I typically open to the ideas of others?
_____ _____ 10. Am I a good listener?
_____ _____ 11. Do I actively participate in discussions when there is something
worthwhile to contribute?
_____ _____ 12. Do I help others stay on the subject?
_____ _____ 13. Following meetings do I take agreed upon action?
_____ _____ 14. Do I contribute to improving meetings by giving feedback to the people
who conduct them either by a note, phone call, or visit?
_____ _____ 15. Following meetings do I inform appropriate people who did not
attend about what was discussed and the outcome?
(These questions are adapted from ‘Effective Meeting Skills’ – Marion E. Hayes.)
If your organisation or you personally would like help in developing skills that will result in more productive meetings, you are welcome to email me - brenda@146.66.90.172