If you’re conducting a meeting, start by clarifying its purposes and anticipated outcomes. Ensure that participants are acquainted with one another, and that they understand each member’s role and responsibilities. If you’re conducting a virtual meeting by videoconference or telephone, make sure to introduce everyone involved so that all participants know who is attending and can identify anyone who speaks.

In addition, carefully manage the group’s communication so that everyone sticks to the agenda. If the discussion starts veering away from the agenda, redirect attention back to the plan. Watch or listen for people who are dominating the discussion, and encourage quieter members to provide their input. Pay attention to how much time the group is spending on each agenda item, and keep the discussion moving forward so that all items get covered. If a particular task needs more detailed conversation, suggest covering it in a separate meeting. Finally, end the meeting by summarizing key decisions, identifying actions that must be taken, and clarifying who will be responsible for carrying out those actions.