Frame your agenda items as questions. When attendees see questions, they begin considering answers, leading to faster and deeper engagement.
Use the 1-2-4-All technique to quickly achieve alignment in large meetings. Based on the divide & conquer principle, alignment is created in steps starting with a group of two.
Use a Meeting Cost Clock to visualize that meetings are not free. Seeing the cost grow with each minute can create a sense of urgency and discourage distracting conversations.
Use facilitation phrases and time-boxing to keep the meeting on track when expert discussions go too deep.
When planning your agenda, allocate 10-20% of the meeting time for wrap-up. Use this time to summarize key decisions, assign action items, confirm follow-up meetings, and ensure everyone is clear on next steps.