As a worker, there is a bridge in your workplace you’d never cross if it’s left to you, if you could alter it, you’d gladly do that. What is that bridge? It is a “staff meeting”.
From the experiences, I’ve had over the years at two of the places I’ve worked and my discussion with people, I realized 80% of workers detest Staff meetings because it is more like a place of reckoning where you sit for long hours feeling drowsy.
The place of staff meeting has been portrayed to be boring, but it isn’t like that. You can only enjoy a staff meeting when you understand its importance and do’s and dont’s as a worker as well as the manager.
An adage says “where there is no law, there is no offense, and where there is law, there is an offense” This simply means “In an Office where there is no staff meeting, workers misbehaves and In an Office where there is a staff meeting, there is Orderliness.”
What is the best way for a village with more than five households who needs to commune a new development, establish new rules, introduce a new head, give good news, etc with one another to achieve their goals? The best way to do this is through “a meeting”. This is known as a ” staff meeting” in an organization.
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What is Staff Meeting?
A staff meeting is an Assembly of members of staff in an organization headed by a manager or CEO where issues involving the growth, flaws, and smooth running of the organization are being discussed.
A staff meeting is a platform to share information, get feedback and brainstorm, etc. It could be between all staff or the Head of departments.
Some of the issues addressed in a staff meeting include;
- Advancement reports,
- Department Information,
- Announcements of recruitment, promotion, salary increments, Awards/recognitions,
- New projects
- New rules, policies, guidelines, vision, etc.
Importance of a Staff Meeting
Below are the importance of staff meetings.
1) It Fosters Interpersonal Relationships and, Communication
I can be a very shy person, but one of the places I come out of my shell is a meeting. Why? It is an avenue to get together with other people and come out of my shell. In an office environment, everyone is confined to their space, but a staff meeting is where everyone gets to know each other, understands the situation of things, and clear misunderstandings. When there is an interpersonal relationship, collaboration and Teamwork become possible.
2) Avenue to Showcase Leadership
Every staff possesses a quality that distinguishes them from one another, this skill can sometimes be exercised in a staff meeting. Staff can be heard in a staff meeting.
3) Establish Alignment
A staff meeting is a place where every member is scrutinized and there is an understanding of roles. It is easier to lose focus, but you can easily get back to order and productivity through a meeting because that is the place of reviewing past activities, giving updates, planning, and making decisions. This is where staff is reminded of the organization’s goal, vision, etc, and reawaken the passion.
4) Avenue for resolving the problem
For every organization, at a point in time, a problem arises. It could be due to finance, communication, etc. It could be between members of staff or clients. This problem can only be addressed at a staff meeting because a problem shared is a problem solved.
5) It gives a sense of belonging
The staff wants to be involved in every part of the organization’s growth, fall, and decision-making. When staff is called to the staff meetings and they’re allowed to share ideas, they give their best and it motivates them to do more because they feel welcomed.
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Do’s and Dont’s of a Staff Meeting
The do’s and dont’s are the rules and regulations that aid effective and successful meetings.
The Do’s Include
1) Create an Agenda: The agenda includes the date, time, and topics to be discussed. This agenda must have been sent to all staff before the meeting, to have an interactive meeting.
2) A moderator: This is someone who holds the meeting and it includes someone taking the minutes, the issues addressed, and the next agenda as well as taking note of time, so as not to exceed the stipulated time.
3) Appraisal: For every meeting, there should be an appraisal of the efforts and performance of the staff so far. While growing, if we’ve done well, we either get snacks or new clothes as a reward and a reminder to do better. Appreciation or appraisal makes your staff happy and it pushes them to do better.
4) Relevant and Feedback: The meeting must be relevant and there should be an avenue for feedback because it is the only road to growth and improvement.
5) Be punctual: for every meeting, Make punctuality a part of you.
6) Time consciousness: Time is allocated to every speaker and the time must be adhered to religiously.
Dont’s of a Staff Meeting
1) Avoid lateness: Imagine a president coming to address your organization, you’d be punctual. If you can be punctual to a president’s gathering, Avoid lateness for every meeting as it symbolizes unprofessionalism and unseriousness.
2) Abstain from multitasking: It is in a meeting place some people use their phones, chews gums, sleep, gossip, etc. All these are bad habits to desist from, it is the only way to have a successful meeting.
3) Resist long lectures: It is good to talk, but long talks often do not yield results. Make your talk short and give room for suggestions. That is the only way to get results.
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Conclusion
Staff meetings can be fun, educative, and interactive if the do’s and dont’s can be abided by and if a new mindset is birthed as regards staff meetings. It is not that bad of a reputation given. Give your next staff meeting the benefit of the doubt by changing the narratives.
Have you had a bad staff meeting experience? Use the comment section to share with us.
