Making meetings productive is important. Much time is wasted in pointless meetings. Your tips are excellent and follow the outline of the training course we run on Chairing Meetings https://axiodevelopment.co.uk/training-courses/management-training-cours.... We have been asked for this course many times and it seems the larger the organisation the poorer the meetings skills are? Too many people think that because they are the senior person in the meeting then its only their ideas that matter. If that really is the case then just tell people what you want and cancel the meeting! As you say if meetings are not productive and enjoyable then why have them!
Kelly - thanks for this post. Its so important that we work to get organisations to understand the need for a learning pathway rather than one-off training events. Ok as training providers we have a commercial interest in this! But it is a fact that without clear, outcome based objectives, spaced learning and practical application followed by coaching and feedback on what worked and what didn't, the retention of any learning, let alone skill development, will diminish very quickly.
Nigel - great article! You ask "where, in the current offerings, is the leadership development that focuses on humility, listening well, or asking brilliant and probing questions?" Well without blowing my own trumpet too much, we at Axio Development have been delivering this programme for over 15 years. And it is now being recognised for exactly the areas you talk about. The traditional leadership models are, if not redundant, being superseded at a phenomenal rate. We are proud that our programme lives and breathes and changes with the times. Check it out on our website. With over 120 senior people graduating we have many examples of transformational experiences and going on to create major change and progress in their organisations.
Jessica - I totally agree with you. I just wish more businesses would put in place training and development plans for the year instead of just doing 'ad-hoc' sessions when a need arises!
Laura - great that you have raised this point. It is very common in many businesses. I believe that all businesses, as well as having the processes, tools and technologies in place, should train their people in effective communication skills. In other words to 'blow their own trumpet'. Unfortunately many in the UK see this as being over the top self promotion. I would say in reply to those people that unless we have a healthy regard for our own abilities and opinions and are prepared to voice them when appropriate, then who else will? We have banged this drum for many years at Axio Development and I can give you many examples of where these 'introverted' people of which you speak have become much more valued for their contributions. If you get chance check out our website at www.axiodevelopment.co.uk
Kerryn - great post and I totally agree with you. As a trainer for many years I long ago moved from 'what have I got to deliver' to 'what do these people need from me today'. This means knowing your audience, applying all of your points and being a role model (as best you can) for the behaviours you want to see in the training room.
My answers
Making meetings productive is important. Much time is wasted in pointless meetings. Your tips are excellent and follow the outline of the training course we run on Chairing Meetings https://axiodevelopment.co.uk/training-courses/management-training-cours.... We have been asked for this course many times and it seems the larger the organisation the poorer the meetings skills are? Too many people think that because they are the senior person in the meeting then its only their ideas that matter. If that really is the case then just tell people what you want and cancel the meeting! As you say if meetings are not productive and enjoyable then why have them!
Kelly - thanks for this post. Its so important that we work to get organisations to understand the need for a learning pathway rather than one-off training events. Ok as training providers we have a commercial interest in this! But it is a fact that without clear, outcome based objectives, spaced learning and practical application followed by coaching and feedback on what worked and what didn't, the retention of any learning, let alone skill development, will diminish very quickly.
Nigel - great article! You ask "where, in the current offerings, is the leadership development that focuses on humility, listening well, or asking brilliant and probing questions?" Well without blowing my own trumpet too much, we at Axio Development have been delivering this programme for over 15 years. And it is now being recognised for exactly the areas you talk about. The traditional leadership models are, if not redundant, being superseded at a phenomenal rate. We are proud that our programme lives and breathes and changes with the times. Check it out on our website. With over 120 senior people graduating we have many examples of transformational experiences and going on to create major change and progress in their organisations.
Jessica - I totally agree with you. I just wish more businesses would put in place training and development plans for the year instead of just doing 'ad-hoc' sessions when a need arises!
Dave Taylor
Axio Development
Laura - great that you have raised this point. It is very common in many businesses. I believe that all businesses, as well as having the processes, tools and technologies in place, should train their people in effective communication skills. In other words to 'blow their own trumpet'. Unfortunately many in the UK see this as being over the top self promotion. I would say in reply to those people that unless we have a healthy regard for our own abilities and opinions and are prepared to voice them when appropriate, then who else will? We have banged this drum for many years at Axio Development and I can give you many examples of where these 'introverted' people of which you speak have become much more valued for their contributions. If you get chance check out our website at www.axiodevelopment.co.uk
Kerryn - great post and I totally agree with you. As a trainer for many years I long ago moved from 'what have I got to deliver' to 'what do these people need from me today'. This means knowing your audience, applying all of your points and being a role model (as best you can) for the behaviours you want to see in the training room.