Identify weaknesses and utilize strengths

[mstakh.i.mom.i]

Meetings are an important part of management. Clarity about the status and coordination of further activities require personal exchange. The image of these meetings has suffered in the past. Why is that? Management styles are moving away from directive specifications towards more self-organization and greater agility. The challenge is to allow old management tools to grow and integrate new ones. Targeted reflection on the culture of meetings is an important step on this path.


There are many ways to structure a meeting. We will look at six different engineering email list patterns. All ways of conducting it have strengths and weaknesses. Compare with your own experiences and reflect on what worked well and where changes make sense. If you go through this process a few times for different meetings, you will be surprised how quickly positive changes are possible.

Pattern 1: The hesitant meeting
You have prepared well and sent invitations to the meeting in good time. You have received neither confirmation nor rejection from some of the participants. Now the time has come and only two of seven people have shown up, and two more are ten minutes late. How do you feel? Are you beginning to doubt whether you are being taken seriously as a manager?

The hallmark of leadership is to lead the way and take others with you. This requires a minimum level of dominance. Assert yourself, do not let up until you have the participants' confirmation. Ask if someone does not show up. Maintain your strengths. Continue to be well prepared, keep your task board up to date, etc.