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You can lead engaging meetings.

This practical guide will help you maximize participation & effectiveness.

Do you feel like your meetings lack energy and engagement? Let’s fix that.

Put an end to boring meetings.

You can transform boring, ineffective meetings into engaging, productive experiences – just by rolling up your sleeves, putting in some extra effort, and following the advice in this practical reference guide. Your meetings, workshops, trainings, and retreats can become a space to explore options and create innovative solutions.

  • "The advice is practical, immediately useful, and — what I really loved — HUMAN. I'm adding the book to my toolkit and recommend it for yours, too!"


    Tim Fairman
    Sr. Technical Learning & Development Program Manager

  • "You will learn exactly what you can do to achieve positive results from the time you (and others) invest in your meetings."


    Marjorie Turner Hollman
    Freelance writer, author, developmental editor/workshop leader

  • Lead Engaging Meetings gives great ideas, strategies, and tools that apply to anyone in the business world who hosts or attends meetings."


    Brian Reetz
    Communications Coordinator & Executive Specialist Office of the Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance

  • “If you follow the principles put forth in this book, you will never lead a boring meeting again!"


    Ben Lennander
    Business Processes and Transformation Director

  • "Save a few thousand dollars on a masterclass and pick up this book instead. The sage advice will make you a better leader and human."


    Lonnie Snyder
    Chief Technology and Information Officer

  • "This book is a treasure trove of valuable ideas and practical tips on planning, facilitating, and following up on meetings that make a difference."


    Tracy Wilk
    Founder, Bold Journey Consulting

Be the meeting leader who transforms boring meetings into engaging experiences that drive results!

DIGITAL COURSE / SNEAK PEEK

Go beyond the book.

This is a free preview of the digital course for leading engaging meetings. Experience practical, visual demonstrations that bring to life the key principles you loved in "Lead Engaging Meetings."

Digital Course
$199.00
One time

Get any-time access to the Lead Engaging Meetings Digital Course and Workbook.

✓ 12 Video lessons
✓ Over 60 minutes of video content
✓ A real workshop with real people
✓ Unlimited lifetime access
✓ 100% Satisfaction guarantee

FREE STUFF

Get free tools and tips to help take your meetings to the next level.

Here’s what’s in the Book…

  • • This Guide Proposes a Different Approach

    • What’s in Each Chapter?

    • Why Take My Advice?

    • The Rewards of Leading an Engaging Meeting

    • Who This Guide Will Not Help

    • Start Before You’re Ready

  • • Meetings Lacking Purpose

    • Meetings Lacking Clarity

    • Meetings Lacking Discipline

    • Meetings with Nothing at Stake

    • Meetings Where Everyone Comes in Hot

    • Address the Five Qualities to Transform Boring, Unproductive Meetings

  • • Why Build a Meeting Brief?

    • Provide Context

    • Define the Purpose or Problem to Solve

    • Select the Appropriate Meeting Type

    • Declare the Desired Outcome

    • Create an Agenda with Questions Instead of Topics

    • Determine the Appropriate Participants

    • Clarify People’s Roles

  • • Choose Meeting Times Wisely

    • Structure the Meeting to be Engaging

    • How Much Can You Expect to Accomplish in a Meeting?

    • Match the Room Arrangement to the Meeting’s Type and Objective

    • How to Create a Facilitator Guide

    • Use Templates for Small Group Activities

  • • How Much Time Should You Invest in Preparing for the Meeting?

    • Increase Your Confidence to Lead

    • Give the Participants a Head Start

    • Call Participants to Act before Arriving at the Meeting

    • How to Decide If You Should Use Presentation Slides

    • Prevent Distractions in Advance

  • • How to Start the Meeting

    • Ask Participants to Take Action Right Away

    • Set Agreements for How to Think and Behave during the Meeting

    • How to Think About Your Role as the Facilitator

  • • Provide Signposts for the Process

    • Use Small Groups to Do the Work

    • If Stuck, Shrink the Room

    • Use Activities Even If You Know the Answer

    • Don’t Do the Work for the Participants

    • Validate All Contributions

    • Lead with Effective Questions

    • Take Breaks Every 90 Minutes

  • • How to Cut Off Someone

    • How to Prevent Rabbit Holes

    • How to Help Quiet Folks Engage

    • How to Get People to Quiet Down without Raising Your Voice

    • How to Ensure Speakers End on Time

    • What to Do If the Meeting Goes into the Ditch

    • What to Do When It’s Taking Longer than You Predicted

    • What to Do If Your Boss Is the Problem in the Meeting

    • What to Do If There Is a Big Distraction or Disruption

  • • Use the Available Tools

    • Call People by Name

    • Avoid Hybrid Meetings If You Can

  • • How to Wrap Up the Meeting

    • How to Close the Meeting

    • What to Do after the Meeting Adjourns

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A master facilitator, Jeff Shannon brings over 20 years of experience facilitating corporate strategy workshops and offsite retreats where the stakes are high.

He is an expert in designing and leading highly engaging meetings that enhance participation, generate better ideas, and deliver the desired outcome. That’s why leadership teams rely on him as an experienced, trustworthy guide for their most important meetings. An author of practical reference guides for business professionals, Jeff also authored Hard Work Is Not Enough: The Surprising Truth about Being Believable at Work.

ALSO BY JEFF SHANNON:

Hard Work is NOT Enough

The Surprising Truth About Being Believable at Work