Too often, meetings seem like a chore, rather than an agreeable and high-energy solution for decision-making and problem-solving. Considering that 91 percent of meeting-goers report daydreaming during a meeting, and more than 50 percent of the time in meetings is wasteful, it’s clear that leading a productive meeting is a necessary workplace skill. The fact that many meetings are dull and uninspiring can give business leaders extra incentive to hone their skills, providing an immediate way to stand out. When developing leaders, training professionals are wise to prioritize meeting skills and strategies, like the ones below.

Provide Clarity Before the Meeting.

The buildup to the meeting is as important as the meeting itself. Prepare attendees by announcing the meeting time and location and clearly noting the meeting’s specific purpose and the ideal outcome. That way, participants will arrive at the meeting with the goal in mind. Repeat the ideal outcome at the beginning of the meeting so all participants are working toward a common goal.

Supply a Printed Agenda.

Even when speaking clearly and with confidence, meeting leaders can lose their audience without a printed agenda. If meeting attendees are aware of which topic is approaching, instead of being caught off guard, they are likely to participate and add insight. Additionally, providing a printed agenda is an opportunity for the meeting leader to plan the content’s timing. The agenda will ensure that the meeting stays on task and that every topic is covered in the allotted time.

In addition to providing the agenda, communicate with any participants who will be speaking or giving reports, so they are fully aware of when they will be involved. If presenters are unaware of when they are expected to speak, they may worry about the timing and pay less attention to the rest of the meeting as a result.

Though people won’t need to introduce themselves at internal team meetings, meetings that involve new faces will require time for proper introductions. Providing time for introductions and general feedback can help accommodate spontaneous engagement and creativity.

Avoid Rigidity.

Leading an effective meeting requires eliminating any forms of obvious bias. If participants feel that the meeting leader has already made up his or her mind and is simply seeking validation, they are not likely to contribute. Encourage alternative ideas from the beginning. Even if the group decides on a direction the you don’t personally agree with, it’s important to respect that decision, or participants will view future meetings with skepticism.

Follow up Diligently.

Ideally, a meeting will result in a strategy or task. It’s important for the meeting leader to keep track of actionable items and follow up on them. Otherwise, he or she risks wasting what was accomplished during the meeting.

Just as you always follow up with your clients, when you host a meeting, follow up with participants to demonstrate your excitement about the mutually agreed-upon tasks and your desire for their completion. Follow-ups, including recap email directly following a meeting, are a productive way for everyone to stay on top of the agenda.

Many leaders already have the skill of leading effective meetings, but many do not. For those who do not, training professionals should prioritize this skill in their development programs. Clarity before and during the meeting, receptivity to new ideas, and diligent follow-up form an effective meeting strategy that can help leaders hone their skills.