ABSTRACT
The single most important ingredient in assuring the success of a public meeting is clear and decisive leadership. Every factor described in this book—correct format, receiver-friendly notice, appropriate environment, clear presentations, positive media relationships, and all the rest—is an additional essential element in helping you have a successful public meeting. But citizens will endure all manner of inconvenience and forgive those inevitable glitches if they believe in their leaders. Conversely, the most ideal setting and circumstances cannot make up for inadequate leadership. The audience gives meeting sponsors and presenters a precious possession: its time. A good leader appreciates that gift and uses it wisely. Managers or executives can and should delegate many aspects of organizing and running meetings, but they need to realize that they alone set the scene for success or failure.
