Katrín Jakobsdóttir, former Prime Minister and Member of Parliament, will share her extensive experience in meetings and chairing at a short course dedicated to meeting leadership that will be held at the Open University of Reykjavík in November.

Katrín has long-standing experience with meetings in a wide variety of settings, giving her valuable insight into what makes them effective. She has participated in numerous political meetings—some formal, others informal; some closed, others open. In addition, she has attended countless meetings with representatives from public administration, the private sector, nonprofit organisations, and even homeowners’ associations.

According to Katrín, good meeting leadership ensures efficiency, saves time, and brings out the best in each participant. It is crucial to establish the purpose of the meeting at the outset and manage it accordingly. When the purpose is unclear or the rules are not well defined, the chairperson may find themselves in a difficult position. Problems also arise if the chair becomes overbearing and prevents participants from voicing their views.

She adds that effective meeting leadership also improves communication and can encourage a diversity of perspectives in discussions—ultimately leading to better decision-making.

The seminar will cover different types of meetings, ranging from parent meetings to board meetings, and will explore what leaders need to keep in mind to achieve the intended results. It is designed for managers, leaders, project managers, and middle managers.

See more information about the course here