How to Run a Meeting Like Google
Carmine Gallo has an article in Business Review Weekly on How to Run a Meeting Like Google. Gallo interviewed Marissa Mayer (Google’s vice-president of search products) about her approach.
In a shop like Google, much of the work takes place in meetings, and [Mayer’s] goal is to make sure teams have a firm mandate, strategic direction and actionable information, while making participants feel motivated and respected. Mayer’s six keys to running successful meetings follow:
1. Set a firm agenda.
2. Assign a note-taker.
3. Carve out micro-meetings.
4. Hold office hours.
5. Discourage politics, use data.
6. Stick to the clock.
These are good general principles, and offer value to any meeting manager. Their application to the Google context is described in the rest of the article.
Setting an agenda is congruent with designing the overall flow of any meeting event. Assigning a note taker ensures there will be one set of notes that participants can refer to. Carving out micro meetings allows for details within the overall flow. Holding office hours enables the meeting manager to stay in touch with the organisation. Using data first tends to prevent participants from climbing the ladder of inference without a solid basis. Sticking to the clock helps people stay focussed and on track.
As with any principles, they can be used poorly. As used by Mayer at Google, they provide a firm structure within which creativity and innovation can flourish.