• 403-660-5952
  • info@realhr.ca
  • 602 11 Avenue SW, Calgary, AB, Canada T2R 1J8
You Know Your Business.
We Know HR.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Meetings (with a Twist)

Today, I started researching how to run productive meetings — and realised I already had the perfect framework! Inspired by The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, here’s my version for meetings.

Eleanor Culver

1. Be Proactive

  • Start on time, every time.
  • Take responsibility for the meeting’s success — host and participants alike.
  • Stay on topic and stick to the agenda.
  • Park unrelated issues for future meetings.
  • Use proactive language:
    “Let’s explore alternatives.”
    “I control my feelings,”
    “I will.”
  • Focus on what you can control during the meeting.

Pro Tip: Focus on influencing what’s within your power — not the things you can’t change.

2. Begin with the End in Mind

  • Prepare and share an agenda (ideally days before, but even an hour ahead helps).
  • Align the agenda with the meeting’s purpose and larger goals.
  • Start by clearly stating the meeting’s intention.

3. Put First Things First

  • Prioritise agenda items by importance.
  • Address high-priority topics early in the meeting.
  • Understand Quadrants of urgency and importance:

4. Think Win-Win

  • Aim for solutions that benefit everyone.
  • Practice integrity, maturity, and abundance mentality.
  • Use this four-step process:
  1. See the problem from others’ views
  2. Identify concerns (not positions)
  3. Define acceptable results
  4. Brainstorm new option

5. Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood

  • Listen actively and empathically before speaking.
  • Set aside your own judgments to fully hear others.
  • Confirm others feel understood before sharing your thoughts.
  • Have courage to listen and to speak honestly.

6. Synergise

  • When all habits come together, expect new ideas and leadership.
  • The whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts.
  • End meetings by summarising:
    • Desired results and deadlines
    • Boundaries and guidelines
    • Needed support
    • Accountability and evaluation timing
    • Consequences of follow-up

Remember: Synergy means 1 + 1 can equal 8!

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

 

    1.  

  •  

 

7. Sharpen the Saw

  • Take breaks to improve your meeting effectiveness.

  • Try new tools like Prezi or rotate meeting leaders.

  • Consider standing meetings to boost alertness.

  • Keep participants engaged and present.

The Golden Rule: Respect Time and Have Fun!

  • Start and end on time.

  • If you need more time, get agreement first.

  • Don’t hesitate to laugh — humor makes meetings better.

  • Life’s too short for long, boring meetings.

www.realhr.ca

REAL HR Inc. delivers practical, flexible HR support for small businesses. Based in Calgary, we tailor solutions to fit your team and culture.

Facebook X-twitter Instagram Linkedin
Quick Links
Get In Touch

Privacy Infomation

2009 - 2025 © Real HR Inc. All Rights Reserved.

HR Wisdom Without the

Yawn Factor

Tired of HR advice that sounds like it was written by a printer manual? We fix that. Subscribe for real talk, real tips, and zero corporate blah-blah.

Yes, Make My Inbox Smarter