1. Self check-in: “By becoming aware of your mental state, you have the option to choose the state you want to be in during the meeting.” Many of the cues that you give when interacting with people are non-verbal, so being mindful of your inner state can help you give positive and appropriate cues to others.
2. Group check-in: Asking people to reflect on their attitudes with the group prior to a meeting can be very useful for bringing everyone’s attention into the present moment. Invite people to a meeting a few minutes earlier before the actual beginning of the meeting so that they have time to get themselves ready and present for the meeting, such as taking a few deep breaths.
3. State your intentions: The leader of the meeting should always indicate the purpose and goals of the meeting that are often specific and go beyond. For example, some meetings may have a particular focus on building relationships between colleagues, so stating that would encourage folks to interact with each other more.
4. Distinguish the parts: Be clear about the structure of the meeting so that the meeting doesn’t seem like a big blur for those who attend. For example, the first part of the meeting could be identifying problems; the second part could be generating ideas; and the third could be planning next steps. Communicate with individuals about which part of the meeting you are in to ensure that they are on the same page.
5. Wrap it up: Ensure that you wrap up the meeting with a clear summary of the meeting and provide instructions about steps in the future. Some questions to consider could be: “What have we decided here today?” or “How will we resolve the issues that are still open?” This ensures that the meeting is productive and there is an agreement about future plans.

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