How can you run productive meetings in diverse workplaces?

2 Set clear goals and agendas

The second step to run productive meetings in diverse workplaces is to set clear goals and agendas for each meeting. This helps everyone understand the purpose, expectations, and outcomes of the meeting. It also helps avoid confusion, misunderstanding, and conflict that may arise from different communication styles, preferences, and norms. You can set clear goals and agendas by defining the meeting objectives, topics, and time frames, and sharing them with your team members in advance.

3 Encourage participation and feedback

The third step to run productive meetings in diverse workplaces is to encourage participation and feedback from all your team members. This helps create a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, heard, and respected. It also helps generate more ideas, insights, and solutions that reflect the diversity of your team. You can encourage participation and feedback by inviting input, asking for opinions, acknowledging contributions, and providing recognition.

4 Use appropriate tools and methods

The fourth step to run productive meetings in diverse workplaces is to use appropriate tools and methods to facilitate your communication and collaboration. This means choosing the right platform, format, and medium for your meeting, depending on the needs, preferences, and availability of your team members. It also means using visual aids, examples, and stories to support your points, and avoiding jargon, slang, and idioms that may cause confusion or misunderstanding. You can use appropriate tools and methods by researching your team members' communication styles, preferences, and needs, and adapting your approach accordingly.

5 Follow up and follow through

The fifth step to run productive meetings in diverse workplaces is to follow up and follow through after each meeting. This helps ensure that everyone is on the same page, that the meeting outcomes are clear and actionable, and that the next steps are communicated and implemented. It also helps build trust, accountability, and rapport among your team members. You can follow up and follow through by summarizing the key points, action items, and deadlines, sending a follow-up email or message, and checking in on the progress and results.

6 Learn and improve

The sixth and final step to run productive meetings in diverse workplaces is to learn and improve from each meeting. This means soliciting and providing feedback, evaluating the meeting effectiveness, and identifying the strengths and areas for improvement. It also means applying the lessons learned, making adjustments, and celebrating the successes. You can learn and improve by conducting a post-meeting survey or discussion, reviewing the feedback and data, and implementing the changes and improvements.