Set the stage for meeting success

As more workers return to the office, the in-person meeting is back. After two years of virtual meetings, there are certain factors that need to be considered when meeting face-to-face. For example, room setup can affect a meeting in significant ways.

Whoever is planning the meeting should arrive about 10 to 20 minutes ahead of time to ensure that the room is set up appropriately. Effective group leaders know that seating arrangement is a critical factor in meetings. Round and rectangular tables facilitate group discussions, while theater seating discourages input but can be great for didactic presentations. Seating arrangements may be altered at different times during a meeting. For example, leaders may want to begin with theater seating for briefings, announcements, or an expert’s presentation and then move to a table or rearrange seats to encourage discussion and brainstorming.