I'm often complimented by CEOs on how I run meetings, and some (notably @tycloud) have asked for tips.

So here's my # 1 rule:

Before participants share their opinions, ask them to write them down.

Sometimes participants moan about it. Isn't that a waste of time?

The far bigger time-waster, I've learned, is free-form sharing. You inevitably get rat-holed because of someone's proclivity to blab or because one opinion generates endless debate.

Writing forces focus and concision.

(Btw, I'm not talking about the Bezos thing where you write pages-long memos in advance. Just a few words, and the writing can happen during the meeting)

Once everyone has written down their ideas, I have them take turns reading them aloud. I write down what they say for everyone to see.

Once I've captured the inventory the ideas in the room, if there's still time, I identify what seems to be the biggest point of contention and allow free-form discussion. If there's still time, we move to the next point.

This 80% writing/sharing/cataloging and 20% discussion approach is how I've been able to run meetings that usually get me what I need as the leader, and that most participants feel was time well spent.

Big, eternal shoutout and thank-you to Howard Goldman ( http://massociate.com/ ) who taught it to me

And to @ZenOhashi for helping me apply it to my work