There never seems to be enough time to properly plan for a meeting. But the solution isn’t to shortchange your meeting prep; it’s to let others lead your meetings. Delegating this responsibility to someone on your team will both free up your time and develop your staff. It’s especially helpful to give someone else the opportunity to practice managing conversations with you in the room. This will give them the extra performance edge that comes with being watched, and you’ll be able to observe and provide feedback. Before your next meeting, ask yourself, “Who would get the most benefit from an opportunity to lead the meeting?” Look for people who need to develop the skill or who would gain an increase in stature by being given the charge to design and lead the next group conversation.
Adapted from "Just Because You're in Charge Doesn't Mean You Should Run Every Meeting," by Paul Axtell
