The Ingredients For Great Meeting Notes

Meetings can easily become unproductive unless there is a clear sense of ownership and structure. This segment emphasizes taking initiative and being proactive with note-taking and follow-up.

• Take initiative to capture takeaways: Especially when meeting with a manager, take responsibility for writing down notes and summarizing key points. Don’t assume they’ll do it—they likely have too much on their plate.
• Communicate your intent: Let the other person know that you’re taking notes because their input is valuable. This builds mutual respect and sets the tone for accountability.
• Clarify ownership of action items: Don’t leave to-dos ambiguous. Specify who will do what—whether it’s you, your manager, or another teammate.
• Create space for note-taking: Pause briefly during the conversation when something important is said. Say things like “Let me write that down” to signal that you’re capturing key information.
• Follow up consistently: Revisit the notes in future meetings and check progress. This keeps everyone aligned and ensures that good ideas don’t get lost.
• Adapt for walking meetings: For more casual one-on-ones (like walking meetings), carve out 10 minutes afterward to document and share what was discussed. This keeps the informal meeting just as productive as a formal one.