Practical pointers for maximizing meetings and motivating team members!At their worst, meetings can waste time, lack focus, foster a combative spirit, or be just plain boring. At their best, meetings can be a positive, dynamic experience that nurtures individual strengths while inspiring teamwork to successfully accomplish an established task. The fate of a meeting lies in the skill of the facilitator, and this easy-to-use guide has all the tips and tools necessary to make you shine in this challenging role.Anyone charged with navigating a group of people toward a desired objective will benefit from this book's indispensable features, which include: Templates for easy implementation at every stage of the facilitation process Straightforward tactics for managing difficult participants and emotionally charged situations Realistic examples to help you avoid pitfalls Surefire methods for delegating in a meaningful and respectful mannerFrom pre-meeting preparation, to the meeting's critical first few minutes, to its conclusion and beyond, this manual provides step-by-step guidance for the entire facilitation process. It is packed with proven do's and don'ts based on psychological principles, research, real-life experience, and field-tested best practices. The user-friendly strategies focus on such key areas as team building, brainstorming, motivating, overcoming problematic situations, reaching goals, and assessing results.