Meeting Planning and Goal Setting: Why They’re More Connected Than You Think

What do meeting planning and goal setting have in common? Everything.

In order to host a successful meeting — whether it’s a one-on-one check-in, a nonprofit committee meeting, or a social networking event — you need a plan. And in order to make that plan effective, you need a clearly defined goal.

When you’re preparing for any meeting, ask yourself:

What is the goal of this meeting?

Would this conversation benefit from an agenda? (Spoiler alert: it usually does.)

Even a simple outline can help streamline discussion, focus participants, and create a more productive, inclusive, and efficient meeting. It doesn’t matter if it’s a high-stakes board meeting or a casual social event — having a plan makes all the difference.

And as I write this, I realize I could be better about this myself. Planning meetings and events is a skill, and it takes intention to stay organized, build a thoughtful agenda, and — importantly — communicate expectations to attendees.

So here are three examples of how meeting planning and goal setting go hand in hand across different professional and social settings:

💼 1:1 Meetings with Your Manager: Own the Agenda

I learned this lesson during my time in medical affairs in pharma. Early in my career, I dreaded monthly one-on-ones with my manager. I’d show up without structure, unsure of what to say or how to guide the conversation. The meetings were unfocused, and I left feeling frustrated.

Then my manager gave me valuable advice: “This meeting is for you.” He encouraged me to take ownership and let him know when he had items to address.

So, I started creating a monthly agenda.

• I listed my recent accomplishments aligned with company KPIs and metrics.

• I included questions or challenges I needed guidance on.

• I proposed new ideas and goals for the next month.

As soon as I started managing the meeting structure, the conversations became clear, actionable, and impactful. I managed the manager. And it made a world of difference for my performance and confidence.

🤝 Nonprofit Committee Meetings: Keep it Organized, Keep it Collaborative

In my volunteer work with nonprofit committees, I’ve learned how essential it is to distribute an agenda in advance. Not only does this help attendees prepare and contribute meaningfully, but it also allows for thoughtful adjustments — like letting the moderator know if you’ll need to leave early and requesting to address your item beforehand.

An agenda also helps manage time constraints and keeps discussions from veering off-track. More importantly, it encourages full participation. When people know what’s being discussed and when, they show up ready to engage.

A well-structured meeting fosters inclusivity, collaboration, and idea-sharing, which ultimately strengthens the committee’s impact and cross-collaboration.

🍷 Social and Networking Events: Purposeful Connection

Even social events benefit from a goal and a loose agenda. Whether it’s a political fundraiser, networking happy hour, or interactive workshop, a plan sets expectations:

• When should guests arrive?

• What’s the flow of the event?

• Are there key remarks or activities to catch?

And importantly — why should someone attend?

Just because it’s social doesn’t mean it lacks purpose. Productive networking requires intention. Attendees should know when to listen, when to participate, and what the event hopes to accomplish (whether it’s fundraising, awareness, or building connections).

An event host or moderator needs to stick to the plan and guide the room to meet the event’s objectives while still keeping it engaging and enjoyable.

🎯 Final Thought

Meeting planning and goal setting are inseparable.

The next time you’re hosting — or attending — a meeting, big or small, ask yourself:

• What is the purpose of this gathering?

• Would an agenda improve the outcome?

• Am I contributing to making this meeting productive for myself and others?

And if you’re an attendee, remember to respect the agenda. It’s there to help everyone succeed.

We all appreciate collaborative, focused, and meaningful meetings. A little planning goes a long way.