Nearly everyone has been in an executive meeting where the discussion veered off the topic or lasted for a long time. Although it might not be a big issue if it happens only at times, consistently off-topic discussions can be detrimental to morale and cause organizational problems down the line. The board’s meetings that are delayed can hinder the board from approving and discussing important action items.

The agenda is often cluttered with long reports, routine items, and other routine items. The more information you give content members the more likely that they’ll read. Make sure to limit the reporting at board meetings, and think about asking officers and committee chairs to give a short summary instead of a minute-byminute account of what they’ve accomplished or are in the process of doing. It’s also a good idea for topics that aren’t on the agenda but aren’t added to the agenda as a “parking area”. This will keep new topics from distracting attention from agenda items which should be the main focus.

Following a strict agenda is an essential method to ensure that the board can participate in a productive dialogue and make a significant decision. This can be accomplished by starting the meeting with the most crucial issues and allowing space at the end of the meeting to allow attendees to ask questions or raise any issues they are still concerned about. This will allow leadership to tap into the collective wisdom of the board members and walk away with fantastic new ideas that can move your organization forward.