leading conference calls at work.. and I'm not good at it, any advice?

[skim milk]

The person who is supposed to be doing this is out on paternity leave. The person who came in as replacement got fired. These are people 2+ levels above me. I am forced to lead these daily conference calls that have about 10-15 people. It's basically going through the action list and gathering any updates. But I don't have much experience doing it and it shows. I don't like doing it but I am trying to reach outside of my comfort zone and gain experience. I'm pretty sure I'll be doing more and more of these with career progression. I'm trying but do you think my boss will give me negative review for not being so smooth?

 

[thepd7]

ask your boss?

 

[Fingolfin269]

After you do a couple you will be good at it. Just go from point to point without letting people ramble off about unrelated crap.

 

[deadlyapp]

As the leader you really don't have to do much. Just keep the conversation moving and on track.

 

[OCGuy]

We use gotomeeting....I just surf the web and pay no attention. So basically don't trip, most people are dozing off anyway.

 

[spidey07]

Have an agenda, give it to the attendees and LEAD the meeting. Take control. If people start talking outside the agenda give them a little bit of time and then get everybody back on point.

 

[skim milk]

Have an agenda, give it to the attendees and LEAD the meeting. Take control. If people start talking outside the agenda give them a little bit of time and then get everybody back on point.

well, I email out the action item list prior to the meeting so there's some structure to follow.

When the meeting starts, I ask to see who is on the call. When someone joins, I get their name. Then I start going through the action items. Then when I try to wrap up near the end, I ask if anyone has any other questions or comments. If quiet, I just say thanks everyone and end it that way.

 

[OCGuy]

Whatever you do:

DONT RAMBLE BEYOND THE SCHEDULED TIME.

 

[StageLeft]

well, I email out the action item list prior to the meeting so there's some structure to follow.

When the meeting starts, I ask to see who is on the call. When someone joins, I get their name. Then I start going through the action items. Then when I try to wrap up near the end, I ask if anyone has any other questions or comments. If quiet, I just say thanks everyone and end it that way.

Then you DO know what to do. You're doing it perfectly. Now you have a list of the attendees on that day and simply a list you're going through, perfect.

 

[Regs]

ernm

 

[spidey07]

well, I email out the action item list prior to the meeting so there's some structure to follow.

When the meeting starts, I ask to see who is on the call. When someone joins, I get their name. Then I start going through the action items. Then when I try to wrap up near the end, I ask if anyone has any other questions or comments. If quiet, I just say thanks everyone and end it that way.

heh, sounds like you got it down just fine. Does anybody do meeting minutes or are you expected to do it? They really help and don't have to be fancy plus you'll score lots of points.

And then because you're so good at it they'll have you keep doing it, provided that's what you want.

 

[white]

Be demanding. Put people on the spot and ask the hard questions.