Episode 505: Rescue Your Project Meetings

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Episode Summary

This discussion focuses on the crucial topic of project meetings, featuring insights from expert guests Rich Maltzman and Jim Stewart. Rich and Jim, both seasoned project management professionals, share their extensive experience in transforming inefficient and unproductive meetings into powerful tools that drive project success. With decades of experience between them, they reveal actionable tips and strategies that every project manager can apply to rescue their meetings from the brink of chaos.

Rich Maltzman, a respected consultant and author, and Jim Stewart, a seasoned project management expert, bring unique insights into why meetings often go off track and how to get them back to focus. They discuss the importance of setting clear objectives, managing stakeholder expectations, and ensuring that every meeting has a purpose. Additionally, they emphasize the role of leadership in maintaining meeting discipline and share practical techniques for keeping discussions productive and on-point.

Whether you need help with meetings that consistently run over time, fail to achieve their goals, or leave participants more confused than informed, this episode provides the guidance you need to turn things around. Rich and Jim's insights equip you with the tools to make every meeting a step toward project success rather than a dreaded chore.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• The Core Elements of Effective Meetings - Discover how setting clear objectives and agendas can drastically improve your meeting outcomes.
• Strategies for Managing Difficult Stakeholders - Learn techniques to keep challenging personalities in check and ensure their contributions are constructive.
• Meeting Facilitation Techniques - Explore methods for keeping meetings on track, including time management and decision-making processes.

Resources Mentioned

• Great Meetings Build Great Teams: A Guide for Project Leaders and Agilists - Learn how to lead effective meetings that build strong teams.

Quotes from This Episode

• "The success of a project often hinges on the effectiveness of its meetings." - Rich Maltzman
• "A meeting without clear objectives is a waste of everyone’s time." - Jim Stewart
• "Leadership is not just about guiding the team, but also about steering the conversation in meetings." - Rich Maltzman
• "Effective meetings are about preparation and clarity. Without a clear purpose, you're setting yourself up for confusion and wasted time." - Jim Stewart

Connect with The Experts

• Rich Maltzman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/exclaim/
• Jim Stewart: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimstewartpmp/

Time-Stamped Show Notes

• [00:00] - Episode introduction and guest bios.
• [03:00] - Discussion on common pitfalls in project meetings.
• [12:13] - Rich Maltzman explains how to set effective meeting objectives.
• [20:45] - Jim Stewart shares tips on managing difficult stakeholders.
• [29:51] - Techniques for keeping meetings on track.
• [49:50] - Final thoughts and wrap-up.

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