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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I will.

100% admit that in my career.

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

Either out of our exhaustion boredom, lack of interest.

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

My head snapping back to attention only after the

signature head Bob has given away.

My nap time.

Welcome to episode 1 59 of this shit works.

A podcast dedicated to all things, networking, relationship

building and business development.

I'm your host, Julie Brown.

Speaker author and networking coach.

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

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

Meetings.

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

can also be a huge bore, a time suck.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

Okay.

Here we go.

One.

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

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

Remember, we just did an entire podcast on nostalgia.

And what is more nostalgic?

Then music.

So start using it.

To begin with an icebreaker.

Icebreakers do not have to be cringe.

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

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

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

in way in advance of the meeting.

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

going to start with this icebreaker question so that everybody has

an answer prepared in advance.

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

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

This is super fun.

Give it to them a couple of days in advance.

Three.

Game-ify it.

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

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

the meeting more fun and memorable.

Four.

Dropping a dad joke.

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

Uh, one to get you started.

Okay, here you go.

After an unsuccessful harvest.

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

Because he had a ton of sick beats.

I want one more.

Yes, you do.

Okay, where do pirates?

Get their hooks?

Where, where.

At a secondhand store.

Okay.

Moving right along.

Oh, five.

Use gifs or memes to emphasize a point.

We actually talked about this in the episode on why your

email second, how to change him.

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

your coworkers, overshared humor.

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

and creativity capturing participants' attention and

making the content more memorable.

Six.

Tell a quick story.

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

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

Seven.

Do some group brainstorming group brainstorming, stimulates creativity,

promotes diverse perspectives and generates innovative solutions.

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

And finally eight incorporate something crafty or creative

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

Mind mapping or a collaborative artwork.

These activities, tap into different learning styles, encourage active

participation and provide creative outlets for expressing ideas.

All right, so there you have it.

Eight ways to have less shitty meetings.

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

isn't a drink of the week.

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

a mocktail, whatever you want.

And just enjoy the last few weeks of summer.

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

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

All right, friends.

That's all for this week.

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

This shit works on Amazon or Barnes and noble.

You can find me on LinkedIn, actually brown BD.

Just let me know where you found me.

When you reach out.

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

popping over to my website.

Julie bam BD.

Dot com.

Until next week.