Performance

Why meetings may fail? Workplace meetings are typically defined as two or more individuals coming together to discuss a work-related matter. Meetings enable management and employees to communicate and share information, solve problems or resolve disputes, improve performance, build teamwork and move projects forward. Workplace meetings can be formal or informal. Sometimes meetings may fail due to the lack of effective management. The following are some behaviors that cause meetings to fail. An entire group may sit back and say nothing and when asked to contribute, they decline. People may be reluctant to contribute as they feel their ideas are not going to be listened to. There are times when an individual is unable to limit how much they say or they provide excessive detail because maybe they like to hear themselves talk or they may be insensitive to the needs of others. There are sometimes a group of members who talk over each other, also known as over talkers. People may chat with those next to them on other issues, instead of paying attention to the group discussion. Some people do this out of habit or because they believe that if they are not involved in the topic, they can start their own discussion. Lastly, during the discussion, some members may be unable to move beyond an issue which they see as blocking any further progress. They become ‘stuck’ on issues which they cannot change. In conclusion, these are some of the behaviors which can challenge the chairman of the meeting but they have to overcome it by identifying the behavior and then by using professional meeting management skills.