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8 Ways to Make Your Next Meeting More Engaging
Episode 15923rd August 2023 • This Shit Works • Julie Brown
00:00:00 00:06:03

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Meetings are an important part of working and collaborating together but they can also be a huge bore, a timesuck and frankly a waste of time if people aren’t engaged in the meeting, or invested in the people at the table or the outcome. 

With most executives spending on average 23 hours a week in meetings, shouldn’t we try to make them more fun, engaging and purposeful?


Listen in for 8 ways to make your next meeting more engaging.


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Transcripts

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I will.

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100% admit that in my career.

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Well, I have most definitely fallen asleep in a meeting or two.

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Either out of our exhaustion boredom, lack of interest.

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In the matter at hand, I have certainly nodded off a few times.

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My head snapping back to attention only after the

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signature head Bob has given away.

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My nap time.

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Welcome to episode 1 59 of this shit works.

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A podcast dedicated to all things, networking, relationship

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building and business development.

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I'm your host, Julie Brown.

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Speaker author and networking coach.

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And today I'm discussing eight ways to make your meetings more engaging.

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You know, So people don't fall asleep in them.

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Meetings.

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Yes, they are an important part of working in collaborating together, but they

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can also be a huge bore, a time suck.

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And frankly, a waste of time if people aren't engaged in the meeting or invested

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in the people at the table or the outcome.

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So according to a recent article in Forbes written by Glen Taylor.

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Here are eight ways to turn up the fun factor and the energy in your meetings.

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And because this is a, this shit work short episode, I'm not going to

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elaborate too much on the ways, but there is a link to the full article in

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the show notes so that you can delve in on each of these in more detail.

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Okay.

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Here we go.

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One.

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Pump up the jams or bring on the tunes, playing some music at the beginning

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of a meeting can create a lively atmosphere and spark fun conversations.

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Remember, we just did an entire podcast on nostalgia.

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And what is more nostalgic?

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Then music.

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So start using it.

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To begin with an icebreaker.

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Icebreakers do not have to be cringe.

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They can be a fun way to get to know your coworkers.

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And here's a tip pro tip to make it easier and more fun for everyone.

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Let the attendees know that there will be an icebreaker question, like

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in way in advance of the meeting.

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So if your meeting's on Thursday, tell them on Tuesday, Hey, we're

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going to start with this icebreaker question so that everybody has

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an answer prepared in advance.

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And so no one is like feeling like they're.

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I put on the spot and can't come up with an answer.

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This is super fun.

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Give it to them a couple of days in advance.

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Three.

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Game-ify it.

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Participants are more likely to actively participate, collaborate, and retain

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information when they are immersed in a game like environment, making

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the meeting more fun and memorable.

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Four.

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Dropping a dad joke.

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Starting the meeting with a dad joke can lighten the mood and relieve tension.

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Uh, one to get you started.

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Okay, here you go.

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After an unsuccessful harvest.

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Why did the farmer decide to try a career in music?

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Because he had a ton of sick beats.

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I want one more.

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Yes, you do.

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Okay, where do pirates?

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Get their hooks?

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Where, where.

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At a secondhand store.

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Okay.

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Moving right along.

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Oh, five.

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Use gifs or memes to emphasize a point.

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We actually talked about this in the episode on why your

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email second, how to change him.

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And we talked about how memes and gifts are great ways to bond with

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your coworkers, overshared humor.

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So in a meeting these elements, add a touch of humor relate-ability

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and creativity capturing participants' attention and

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making the content more memorable.

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Six.

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Tell a quick story.

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Sharing a brief and relevant, personal or anecdotal story can captivate

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participants' attention and bring a human element to the meeting.

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Seven.

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Do some group brainstorming group brainstorming, stimulates creativity,

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promotes diverse perspectives and generates innovative solutions.

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Ultimately making the meeting more productive, interactive, and fun.

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And finally eight incorporate something crafty or creative

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participants can engage in hands-on activities like visual note-taking.

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Mind mapping or a collaborative artwork.

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These activities, tap into different learning styles, encourage active

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participation and provide creative outlets for expressing ideas.

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All right, so there you have it.

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Eight ways to have less shitty meetings.

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Well, since this is a, this shit work short episode, there

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isn't a drink of the week.

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Just pour yourself a beer, a glass of wine, or a cocktail or a Setser

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a mocktail, whatever you want.

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And just enjoy the last few weeks of summer.

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Because before you know, it, it will be all back to business.

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But with any luck you will have less terrible meetings after this.

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All right, friends.

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That's all for this week.

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If you like what you heard today, please leave a review.

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If you have not.

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I left a review.

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If you listen to this podcast and you have not left a review, please leave a review.

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Also, please remember to share the podcast to help it reach a larger audience.

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If you want more, Julie Brown, you can find my book.

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This shit works on Amazon or Barnes and noble.

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You can find me on LinkedIn, actually brown BD.

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Just let me know where you found me.

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When you reach out.

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I am Julie Brown underscore BD on the Instagram, or you can

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popping over to my website.

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Julie bam BD.

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Dot com.

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Until next week.

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