Running Meetings Doesn’t Have to Be Scary 🎃

Let’s be honest—for many of us, leading a meeting feels about as comfortable as walking into a haunted house. Your pulse quickens, your palms get sweaty, and you’re convinced everyone can see right through your “I totally know what I’m doing” façade.

But here’s the thing: that fear of facilitating is completely normal, and more importantly, completely conquerable.

Spotting the Real Villains

The monsters lurking in most meetings aren’t supernatural. They’re the usual suspects we all know too well:

• 🧛 The Conversation Vampire drains all the energy from the room by talking endlessly.
• 👻 The Ghost Participants are cameras off, microphones muted, and never contributing.
• The most terrifying of all? The Dreaded Specter of “Could This Have Been an Email?”

The good news? You don’t need magical powers to handle them. What you do need is structure, intention, and a few reliable tricks up your sleeve.

First Line of Defense: Preparation

Just like you wouldn’t walk into a haunted house without a flashlight, you shouldn’t walk into a meeting without a plan.

A few simple habits go a long way:

• Share a clear agenda beforehand so everyone knows the purpose.
• Include time estimates for each topic so discussions don’t spiral.
• Clarify roles (who’s leading, who’s taking notes, who’s deciding).

Proactive preparation sets the tone and keeps your meeting from wandering into cobweb-filled corners.

Breathing Life Back Into Meetings 🪄

Preparation helps you start strong, but energy is what keeps people engaged. To avoid flatlining halfway through:

• Kick off with a check-in that feels human, not forced. Skip the awkward “fun facts” and ask something relevant, like: What’s one win from this week?
• Use breakout sessions for complex topics so more voices are heard.
• Switch up formats—try polls, quick brainstorming rounds, or even silent idea-writing before discussion.

And here’s a spell that never fails: end on time. Nothing builds credibility like respecting people’s calendars. End early? That’s practically magic.

Taming the Monsters with the Right Tools

Even seasoned leaders know that meetings can spiral. That’s why having the right tools matters.

Our Engagement Suite can be your trusty sidekick—providing templates, activities, and structures that take the guesswork out of leading. Think of it as having a guide who’s already navigated every dark hallway and knows exactly where the jump scares are.

Templates help you set expectations. Activities give everyone a reason to participate. Structures keep the conversation from being hijacked. When the mechanics are handled, you can focus on what actually matters: leading the discussion.

From Spooked to Skilled

Here’s the secret: even the most confident facilitators started out nervous. Running meetings is a skill, not a talent you’re either born with or not.

The more you practice—and the more intentional you are about preparation, engagement, and follow-through—the less scary it feels. Soon, you’ll notice something surprising: the same people who once dreaded your meetings will start to look forward to them.

Because meetings, when done well, aren’t scary at all. They’re energizing. They’re clarifying. They’re a chance to connect people around shared goals and shared progress.

And the only thing you’ll fear then? Running out of time.

Final Thought

Remember: the monsters aren’t real. But the opportunity to lead your meetings with clarity, energy, and confidence absolutely is.

Once you realize the only thing to fear is fear itself (and maybe running over time), running meetings becomes just another tool in your leadership toolkit—no supernatural powers required.