Sometimes it seems silly that we pass out an 8.5 x 11-inch sheet of paper with nothing more than the date and a few numbered items on it.

Well, it is silly, but keep doing it. More importantly: stick to what you write on it.

Ah yes, the legendary meeting agenda. For most organizations, it means as little as it says. Get yourself known as someone who runs worthwhile, productive, timely meetings. Here are a few (obvious, yet shockingly-underused) tips to keep your meetings running smoothly and on-topic.

Have a clear meeting “owner”
It’s important that everyone knows who “owns” and is “running” the meeting, particularly when it may be several departments or committees meeting together. This isn’t just a lame power-play; it’s your first step in keeping things on track. You’ll waste less time, and you’ll accomplish more. Who doesn’t want that?

Distribute the agenda before the meeting
Just send an email. If you want to attach it as a PDF, that’s fine, but even better is just pasting the plain text into the email body. Fewer clicks (or taps on your phone) is always better. Just be sure to send it with ample time ahead of your scheduled meeting time; an agenda sent five minutes before the meeting starts isn’t helping anyone. This also reinforces the prior point: you are (presumably) in charge of the meeting.

Don’t put “Other?” as the final item
It can be tempting to allow time and give folks the opportunity to add to-dos/topics/areas of concern at the end of a scheduled meeting. Don’t do this. We all want fewer meetings, but dragging one out for any reason should also be avoided. If it wasn’t on the agenda, this isn’t the time or place for it. All too often, this just leads into completely (well-meaning but) unfocused conversations.

Don’t be afraid to “table” a conversation… as long as you do actually pick it back up again
Folks won’t mind having their sidebar tabled so long as you do actually make a point to circle back around with them, whether that’s privately or in another, more-appropriate group/committee/whatever setting.

Set up — and test things — ahead of time
Are you meeting in-person? Be there first and have everything set up. If that includes passing out pens, do it. If that includes hooking your laptop up to the projector, do it. Are you meeting virtually? Be online and ready to admit people from the waiting room. Test your microphone and headphone levels. You are wearing headphones (or at least earbuds), right? Don’t ever run or join a meeting (or record a podcast…) with open speakers blaring audio.