Transform your meetings: Our secrets for interactive and engaging sessions
Let’s aim for engagement!
Tired of endless meetings that go nowhere? Unprepared, one-way sessions where only a few speak up? You’re not alone! “Meeting overload” is a common affliction. But imagine meetings where everyone has a voice, where participation and engagement are the norm. It is possible! Here’s how we transformed our meetings into dynamic, efficient, and inspiring moments.
A successful bet
As part of our broader restructuring journey, we realized that rethinking our meetings was essential. How could we foster more engagement, participation, and energy? We explored various training programs in management and personal development to breathe new life into our meeting culture. With innovative tools and facilitation methods, we’ve successfully turned our work sessions around. Ready to learn some of our secrets?
Speaking up and active listening
So what methods do we use? Here are a few of our favorite techniques:
T.O.P (Topic > Objective > Process): To frame the meeting properly, we start by clearly stating the topic, the goal, and the process. For example:
- Topic: Launch of the “Working Better Together” project
- Objective: « Understand the concept of working better together and put it into action »
- Process: Inclusion → Defining ground rules → Sharing views and brainstorming → Identifying risks → Next steps → Wrap-up
Ground rules: Defined collectively, they boost commitment. Examples: punctuality, active listening, non-judgment, confidentiality, setting time limits, etc.
Inclusion: A question or card game to get everyone to speak up and open up. For instance: “How are you feeling today?” or “What does this project mean for our company, in your view?”
Sharing perceptions: Everyone explains what a word or concept means to them—this fosters mutual understanding and builds consensus.
Wrap-up: End the meeting by inviting each participant to share their thoughts or feelings. Examples : a “ROTI (Return on Time Invested)” score from 1 to 5, or asking, “How do you feel as we wrap up this meeting?”
A host of benefits
What have we gained from this?
- Structured meetings: Sessions that are clear, focused, and productive
- More openness: Inclusion and wrap-ups have become second nature
- Increased participation: Everyone has a chance to speak, encouraging open dialogue
- Autonomy: Team members are now empowered to organize their own meetings
- Meeting evolution: More creative and participatory sessions, fewer top-down ones
By embracing these methods, we’ve not only improved the quality of our meetings but also strengthened our team’s cohesion and engagement.
What about you? Ready to transform your meetings? Share your experiences and draw inspiration from our secrets to host more dynamic and productive sessions!
