ABSTRACT
Workplace meetings take place for many reasons. Employees meet to talk about problems, develop solutions, generate ideas, reach consensus, and make decisions. In addition, meetings are also sites for many other organisational phenomena, including sensemaking, leadership influence, relationship building, team dynamics, conflict, and the shaping of employee attitudes. Meetings are essential to every effective organisation and can be categorised into 2 main types: (1) information meetings; (2) decision-making meetings. While the former aim to inform participants of necessary information, the latter involve participants in resolving problems through discussions so as to make decisions. This may involve negotiations which is another important skill one has to master in order to communicate successfully in the workplace. This chapter outlines what makes effective meetings, what negotiation is about and how to negotiate effectively.
