| Being an effective Human Resources professional | | | | supportive, and build or modify ideas |
| requires that you to spend considerable time leading or | | | | • If disagreement exists, suggest alternatives. |
| attending meetings. Meetings are often described as | | | | 4. When leading the meeting, instead of acting as a |
| unproductive and a waste of time. However, as a | | | | Human Resources professional, consider yourself a |
| successful HR professional it's imperative that you | | | | facilitator, responsible for guiding the group to obtain or |
| know how to lead them. Here are the most important | | | | commit to a certain result. |
| steps to follow: | | | | • Avoid prematurely judging or evaluating ideas |
| 1. Plan for your meeting by determining the purpose of | | | | • Openly ask for opinions, and confirm attendees' |
| the meeting; what outcome you want to achieve; what | | | | understanding of points |
| people should attend; where it should be held; and how | | | | • Frequently reinforce good points or comments, |
| long it should last. | | | | e.g., "Bob, I'm glad you brought that up... " |
| 2. Before the meeting, distribute copies of an agenda | | | | • When asking questions, use good open-ended |
| outlining the purpose of the meeting, the major areas | | | | ones "how, what, why, and when"' ask one question at |
| for discussion, and meeting logistics. | | | | a time |
| 3. At the beginning of the meeting, review the agenda | | | | • Use a flip chart to illustrate or clarify key problem |
| and your expectations. Establish some common | | | | areas or alternative solutions |
| ground rules for the discussion: | | | | • On an ongoing basis summarize or paraphrase |
| • Encourage careful listening | | | | key issues. |
| • Focus on defining problems or issues before | | | | 5. Prior to adjourning, summarize the meeting's |
| generating solutions | | | | conclusions and seek consensus. Review the next set |
| • Conflict is O.K. - differing views should be | | | | of action. Ask if there are any concerns. Thank the |
| discussed | | | | group for their support and interest. |
| • Anyone can ask for clarification at any time; | | | | 6. After the meeting, distribute the conclusions in writing |
| questions are encouraged | | | | to all participants. This memo should clearly state who |
| • Avoid instantly killing ideas on points; rather, be | | | | is responsible for what and when it is due. |