Is Anybody Listening? How to Take Control and Be Heard at Your Next Employee Meeting
Has this ever happened to you? You call a meeting, share what’s on your agenda, and everyone leaves. As soon as the room is empty, you think, “I don’t know if anyone absorbed what I was trying to say.”
It’s a chronic symptom of some meetings. Although you have a strong message to share, your message isn’t being heard. There’s a general lack of attention in the room. Although it’s frustrating, there are a few things you can do to take control and fix this issue.
1. Preparation is Key
The nonverbal message you send to your employees happens before anyone sets foot in the conference room. Did you haphazardly schedule the meeting at the last minute? If so, some employees might assume what you have to say isn’t as important as it is. Did you send out an agenda ahead of time? If not, you might not look well-prepared, which could be misinterpreted.
Pay attention to your nonverbal cues. Schedule the meeting in advance, share your agenda ahead of time with your team, and arrive early for the meeting. This will plant the seed that what you have to share needs attention.
2. Pay Attention to Body Language
During the meeting, pay attention to how your team is sitting. What nonverbal cues are they giving you?
If you notice your team sitting with their arms crossed, looking down at their phones, or showing little interest in what you’re saying, shake things up. For example, if you notice a general lack of attention, have everyone stand up. Or you can also have people change where they’re sitting.
Pay attention to your own body language too. Are your arms crossed? Are you standing? Are you leaning back? Just as your employees are sending you signals with their body language, you’re doing the same to them. Be aware of this so you’re sure to send the right signal.
3. Keep It Short
The amount of time you spend in a meeting does not correlate with how much you accomplish. Shorter meetings tend to be better than long, drawn-out meetings.
If you’re well-prepared coming into the meeting, you’re in a better position to tackle issues quickly. Focus on having a brief discussion where others can share their views and then closing the meeting within the hour.
4. Make it Actionable
You never want your employees walking out of a meeting wondering what is expected of them or what they need to do next.
When you close your meeting, offer an actionable tip. Share your expectations for each employee going forward. Give them a specific task to work on. The more you apply a tangible or actionable effect from the meeting, the more likely your employees will be able to absorb your overall message.
5. Make Your Meetings Worthwhile
You wouldn’t call a meeting if you didn’t have something important to say, but your employees don’t always think of it that way. Make your meetings worth people's time by preparing in advance, watching the room closely, and giving every person something actionable to do before they leave.
