There is nothing more boring than sitting in a meeting room for more than an hour. Dull presentations, boring discussions and unclear goals that inevitably result in lengthy debate about the same thing for an untold amount of time.
Meetings are the building blocks of our everyday lives. While there are lots of important things to discuss and decisions to be made, is it possible to make them more fun? Some people think you should take on a professional role, while others argue that you need to show authority. But what if we all tried to have some fun instead? What would come out of that? More innovative ideas, better work climate and maybe happier employees?
Whatever happened to having fun at work? We’ve all seen those scenes from movies where employees are goofing off and having fun during a meeting. While those kinds of meetups happen in the movies, reality is different for most. So we asked ourselves – why should meetings be boring? Meetings can be fun, productive and engaging if you know how to make them that way. Here are 8 reasons why you should make meetings more fun:
Reasons Why You Should Make Meetings More Fun
1- Enhanced creativity: Fun meetings can spark creativity and innovation among team members. When people are relaxed and having fun, they are more likely to think outside the box and come up with new ideas.
2- Increases engagement: Let’s face it; no one likes sitting through a long, boring meeting. But when you add fun elements like icebreakers or snacks, attendees become more engaged in the discussion. This increased engagement leads to better collaboration, communication among team member and more productive outcomes.
3- Boosts productivity: Fun meetings help to break up the monotony of the workday, which can lead to increased energy levels and motivation. When employees are motivated, they tend to be more productive during meetings as well as throughout the day.
4- Builds strong relationships: Having fun together helps build stronger relationships between coworkers by fostering a sense of camaraderie within the team. These bonds not only improve teamwork but also create a positive work environment where everyone feels valued.
5- Reduces stress :Workplace stress is a common issue that affects employee morale and productivity negatively. Making meetings more fun can help alleviate some of these tensions by providing an outlet for relaxation while still being productive at work!
6- Improved morale: Fun meetings can boost morale and create a positive work environment. When team members enjoy the meetings they attend, they are more likely to feel satisfied with their jobs and be motivated to perform at their best.
7- Better communication: Fun meetings can improve communication among team members. When people are comfortable and enjoying themselves, they are more likely to speak up and express their thoughts and opinions.
8- Increased retention: Fun meetings can help retain top talent. When people enjoy the work environment and the meetings they attend, they are more likely to stay with the organization long-term.
How to Make Meetings More Fun
Meetings can often feel like a drag, especially when they’re held frequently and with the same group of people. However, making meetings more fun doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming. One way to add some excitement is by incorporating games into your meeting agenda. This could be something as simple as a quick icebreaker activity or trivia game related to the topic at hand.
1- Have a good reason for every meeting
If you’re going to have a meeting, it’s important to make sure that the reason is good.
If your meeting is just an excuse to talk about nothing, it’s not worth having. If you want your meetings to be productive and effective, you need to know why they are happening in the first place.
Meetings are a necessary evil. They’re time-consuming, and they’re often not productive.
But if you have a good reason for every meeting, you can make them fun.
2- Make sure the attendees know what to expect and how to prepare.
This is an important part of making meetings more fun. You want to make sure that your attendees have all the information they need in order to participate fully in the meeting and feel comfortable asking questions when they don’t understand something.
3- Keep the meeting moving.
Meetings can sometimes drag on and on, especially if you have a lot of people in attendance. It can be hard to keep everyone’s attention when there is a lot of talking and no actionable items being discussed. One way to keep the meeting moving is by making it fun!
Not only will this help keep everyone’s attention, but it will also help you come up with more innovative ideas than you would if you were just sitting around listening.
4- Start your meeting with a question.
Instead of diving right into the agenda, try starting with a question. This will help you get to know each other better and make the meeting more engaging for everyone.
This will help you get the group’s attention and open up the floor for discussion. Plus, it’s just good manners to let everyone have a say in your meeting!
5- Provide time for brainstorming or Q&A at the end of the meeting.
One of the best ways to make meetings more fun is to provide time for brainstorming or Q&A at the end of the meeting. This can be done by starting with a brief brainstorming session at the beginning of the meeting and then returning to it at the end, or by doing them both within the same meeting.
Brainstorming sessions give team members an opportunity to discuss ideas and come up with solutions to problems that might not have been apparent at first. This also helps build camaraderie among group members, as well as creating a more pleasant atmosphere for everyone involved.
Q&A sessions allow team members to ask questions about anything that was discussed during the meeting or things they would like clarification on. Questions can be answered by one person (e.g., someone who hasn’t been able to attend all of the previous meetings) or multiple people if they are related in some way (e.g., questions about work-related processes involving multiple departments).
6- Don’t make people feel stupid.
If you’re leading a meeting, remember that the people in the room are not there to learn how to take notes or follow your agenda. They’re there because they want to hear what you have to say and contribute their own ideas. If they don’t understand something, let them ask questions—but don’t make them feel dumb for asking! No one wants to be made to feel like an idiot just because they missed something or can’t follow along with every detail.
7- End the meeting with a clear takeaway for everyone so there’s no confusion about what was said or agreed upon.
It’s important to wrap up a meeting with a clear takeaway for everyone so there’s no confusion about what was said or agreed upon. This is especially important if the meeting involves several people, because it ensures everyone is on the same page and nobody gets left behind.
We recommend ending each meeting by going over what was discussed, what was agreed upon, and what action items were assigned to each person in attendance. This will help ensure that everyone leaves with a clear understanding of what needs to happen next and how they can be helpful in making it happen.
Simple Ways To Make Meetings More Fun And Productive
Humor creates a more relaxed atmosphere, It helps people remember the meeting and its content. Humor makes it easier to hear criticism, People are more likely to participate in discussions. Humor lowers stress levels. It can help build trust between employees, managers and the CEO.
People are more willing to share ideas. Fun helps break down barriers and allows people to bond with others who may otherwise seem unapproachable.
Remember to keep it professional while having fun with your colleagues during these sessions as this helps create bonds within teams which ultimately leads to higher performance levels for all involved parties!
Consider using the following methods, you’ll not only add some much-needed levity but also increase engagement and productivity among your team members!
1- Icebreaker Games: Start the meeting with a fun icebreaker game to help everyone get to know each other better. This can be as simple as asking everyone to share their favorite movie or book or playing a game like Two Truths and a Lie.
2- Fun Activities: Consider adding fun activities into your meeting agenda such as team-building exercises, brainstorming sessions where everyone gets involved instead of only one speaker presenting their ideas etc., which creates an inclusive environment that encourages contribution from all participants.
3- Snacks: An easy way to make meetings more enjoyable is by providing snacks for attendees. Whether it’s coffee and pastries in the morning or a mid-afternoon snack break, food can help boost energy levels and create a relaxed atmosphere.
4- Change the Scenery: Holding a meeting in a new location can help to break up the monotony and make the meeting more enjoyable. Consider holding the meeting outdoors or in a different room than usual.
5- Encourage Participation: Make sure everyone has a chance to participate in the meeting by asking for input and ideas from everyone in attendance. This can help to make the meeting more engaging and interactive for everyone involved.
6- Use Visual Aids: Incorporating visual aids, such as slides or videos, can help to keep the meeting interesting and engaging. This can also help to reinforce key points and keep everyone on the same page.
7- A Non-Traditional Setting can help add some excitement to your next meeting, such as meeting outdoors or at an unusual venue like an amusement park or bowling alley!
9- Leading Meetings: Taking turns leading meetings will give everyone a chance to share their ideas and opinions in different ways than usual–and it’s fun!
