The simple building blocks of information gathering, “who, what, where, when, why and how” also form the very foundation of clear communication.

 Place these questions in any order you choose; however, you want to consider each of them before any information exchange for effective results.

You may not want to pass on every piece of information in a given situation. Still, you want to consider the answers to these questions in advance.

The amount of time it takes to learn this information beforehand is usually less than the time it takes to scramble for answers in a real time exchange. And of course, this also applies to meetings. You want to come prepared!

“I’ll get back to you on that”

There is nothing wrong with “I’ll get back to you on that”. This can indeed be the best answer at times.

Imagine, you’ve been posed a question or scenario which is brand new and requires exploration. A simple “I don’t know, but I will find out” is a very honest and acceptable answer. However, it should not be the default position.

Preparation is the key to everything. Make an attempt to learn the answers to potential questions in advance. Once your team see’s this quality in you, the pressure is greatly reduced. The very expectation of your consistent preparation will result in team participation and even more preparation.

Remember that an Olympian trains for years to be tested in a relatively short lived event. Preparing for the exchange of accurate information can define you as a champion in the course of one or more meetings.

Reviewing action items prior to a meeting utilizing your Meetings.io workspace can ensure you show up to your meetings prepared with an arsenal of questions and solutions making you all champions of your meetings! And remember, we are here to make a new and better way of meetings. 

Written by
Kathy Mayfield