I once attended a meeting and later received the meeting minutes indicating that I had agreed to head up a task force. Now, while I remember discussing the need for a task force, I do not, for the life of me, volunteering to lead it. I was either asleep during the meeting or manipulated after the meeting.

Don't let this happen in meetings that you run. Instead, close your meeting with a quick review. The time spent is a valuable investment in clarity and accountability.

Here's a list of the six steps for closing out a meeting.

1. Summarize results, both the major points and the decisions reached
2. Compare results to meeting objective
3. Review action plans - who agreed to do what by when
4. Address "parking lot" issues, i.e., anything that was placed on a "to be addressed" flipchart because it was not directly related to the meeting agenda and objectives
5. Debrief meeting - what went well and what can be changed or improved next time
6. Thank meeting participants

Would you and your organization like to learn more about leading effective meetings? Contact us to learn more about our "Leading Great Meetings" workshop.
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