Page 18 - Leadership Basics 10

7. Keep to Time
Stick very closely to the time you have allotted to each item. If you run over time, other items may
have to be neglected. There are occasions however when you have to be flexible because of the
nature of the discussion, but there is a difference between this and poor time management.

8. Reinforce Main Points and Decisions
At appropriate points, in addition to your regular clarifications and summaries, reiterate the main
points and state the decisions which have been taken and the conclusions which have been reached.
If it has been agreed that someone is to take action on something, then repeat what the action is,
who will do it and the time deadline set.

At the end of the meeting, go over the main points yet again. This is an opportunity to summarise
your summaries! After this there should be no misunderstanding. State the main points, including
all conclusions and decisions, and specify the actions to be taken along with the names and time
scales. If there is no secretary present, you can even use this as the writing of your minutes, which
will save you a job later on.

9. Write It Down
Having repeated, summarised and reinforced, you need to ensure that everything is recorded in
writing. An example of what a simple record of the actions to be taken might look like is shown in
Figure Four.

Figure Four : Records of Actions

Bob to contact KGV and find out where they had their booklets printed. He has
authority to obtain quotation from another printer if necessary. To be done within
three days and report back to the next department meeting.

Veronica to discuss with other teachers about hardware needs to support the new
MYP curriculum.

Ways to undermine Links participants and their flighty views on schooling. This to
be done in time for the next meeting.

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