Writing Agendas That Enhance Team Communication

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗶𝗽 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆: 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮 𝗯𝘆 𝗔𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 Tired of flat meetings where attendees just listen passively? Ask questions on your agenda as opposed to using phrases. Questions spark curiosity, encourage participation, and push for deeper discussion. They shift the focus from "being told" to "actively thinking and contributing," leading to richer outcomes. Example: Phrase-Based Agenda: Project Update Risk Management Next Steps Question-Based Agenda: Project Updates: What are some key milestones we've achieved since our last meeting? Risk Management: What are the potential roadblocks or risks we need to keep an eye on? Next Steps: Based on our project update and identified risks, what are the key action items we need to focus on in the coming weeks? Who can take ownership of these? What support do you need? A question-based agenda prompts active participation at each stage. It gets everyone involved in problem-solving and decision-making, leading to a more productive and engaging meeting. Bonus Tip: Frame your questions to be open-ended and thought-provoking. Avoid yes/no questions that shut down discussion. #MeetingTips #Engagement #ProjectManagement

Learn this if you want to transform your team communication: Your team members process information differently. Years ago, I made the wrong assumption. I assumed everyone processed information the way I did: By thinking things through quietly before speaking up. I was wrong. And it was costing my team their best ideas. Understanding this difference changed everything about how I led teams. There are two ways people process information, and most meetings only serve one type: Internal Processors ("Thinking to Talk"): → Review materials thoroughly before meetings → Prefer to prepare responses in advance → Contribute after reflection with polished insights External Processors ("Thinking to Think"): → Think through possibilities verbally → Refine thoughts while speaking → Jump into discussions naturally The breakthrough came when I started structuring meetings for both styles: ✅ Send agendas 48 hours early ✅ Include both reflection time and open discussion ✅ Ask specific people for input instead of waiting for volunteers ✅ Create space for both prepared thoughts and spontaneous ideas  My "quiet" team members started contributing game-changing insights, While my verbal processors helped refine and build on those ideas. Your team's best ideas might be trapped by your meeting style. Start transforming your leadership now: read.drdegnan.com

How I Lead Effective Meetings as a Program Manager at Amazon. Meetings can either be a powerful tool for decision-making or a frustrating time sink. Early in my career, I struggled with unstructured meetings—great discussions but no clear outcomes. One chaotic project, where we held frequent but ineffective syncs, taught me that meetings aren’t just for talking; they should drive action. Here’s how I lead meetings now: 1️⃣ Set a Clear Agenda (and Share It in Advance) Every meeting starts with a structured agenda that includes: ✔️ Objective: What we need to achieve ✔️ Discussion topics: Prioritized for focus ✔️ Attendees: Only those necessary 📌 If an agenda isn’t clear, I challenge whether the meeting is even needed. 2️⃣ Keep Meetings Decision-Oriented Before starting, I clarify: ✔️ What decisions need to be made? ✔️ Who is responsible for next steps? If discussions drift, I refocus: “This is important but let’s table it for a separate deep dive.” This keeps meetings productive instead of open-ended. 3️⃣ Ensure Follow-Through with Clear Recaps A great meeting means nothing if action items aren’t tracked. After the meeting, I send a quick recap with: ✔️ Decisions made ✔️ Action items + owners ✔️ Next steps 📌 I also log action items in a shared tracker to ensure accountability. Bonus: Reduce Unnecessary Meetings Before scheduling, I ask: Can this be solved via Slack, email, or a written update? At Amazon, concise narratives often replace meetings—allowing for more deep work. Final Thoughts A well-run meeting aligns teams, drives decisions, and prevents wasted time. The best compliment I get? “That was one of the most productive meetings I’ve been in.” How do you keep your meetings effective? #Meetings #Productivity #Leadership #ProgramManagement #Amazon