What Are the Pros & Cons of a Team Meeting With Colleagues?

For some businesses, team meetings with colleagues are a regular and integral segment of any given workweek. Other organizations seldom or never implement the practice of meeting and touching base. With such a widespread and varied outlook on team meetings, you should weigh the pros and cons of the time you and your coworkers spend together.

Pro: Fresh Ideas and Team Unity

One of the best reasons to hold team meetings is that they offer an opportunity for everyone to share their insights and ideas. By inviting coworkers to express their observations in an open and friendly environment, many executives are made privy to a previously unknown facet of their business. According to an article on Dummies.com, these meetings can also serve as a means to empower employees and boost morale.

Con: Time Away From Specified Tasks

Many effective team meetings implement a clear and defined agenda; this added structure helps keep work on track. Regardless, the time spent in a team meeting will usually mean time spent away from normal day-to-day responsibilities. This can cause employees to fall behind in their normal routine. In deciding whether a team meeting with colleagues is right for your business, consider the opportunity cost of their time.

Pro: Open Communication

When a new or significant event occurs, a team meeting can be a great way to bring the rest of your coworkers up to speed. While emails and memos can also communicate a message, their form is often less conducive for questions and explanations. By holding a team meeting, you can also be sure that your information is actually heard (as opposed to an ignored memo or email).

Con: Disagreements

One of the largest disadvantages to holding a team meeting is the potential for disagreements and arguments (especially when two coworkers have shown a predisposition for this problem in the past). In many cases, employees see others' ideas a critique of their own work, and turn conversations into arguments. According to BusinessListening.com, these problems can be overcome with the use of an internal or external facilitator—someone whose sole concern will be to help keep meetings moving efficiently.