It’s typical for write-ups on how to run better meetings to tout the same things: have an agenda, take notes and start on time. What’s more important and less talked about, however, is the heart of what most meetings lack: focus and results.

In today’s highly distracting, short-attention-span, technology-driven office environment, how can talent managers get everyone to fully engage in a meeting? The first step is to ensure that all attendees know the meeting’s stated mission and preferred outcomes. With that as the foundation, they can focus on the agenda with the desired result in mind, instead of mindlessly sitting through yet another boring meeting.

Instead of whipping out loftily stated agendas for long-winded meetings, managers should consider morphing them into single-objective, results-driven gatherings. That way, attendees can walk out filled with energy, satisfaction and even a sense of triumph — a far better ending than employees’ typical reaction to meetings: “Think of all the things I could have done instead.”

Create a mission and outcome statement. Most meeting discontent stems from poor preparation by the organizer or attendees. The solution is to make the meeting’s results more clear so everyone can direct their intentions to what needs to get done for the duration of the meeting.

Clearly stated in the meeting invitation and at the top of the agenda should be the two things every participant must know coming in the door: mission and outcomes. These items, which are repeated verbally as the meeting starts, can be stated like this:

1) Our mission will be to review and prioritize top sales opportunities this quarter.
2) We will walk out the door with two action items for each top 10 opportunity that can be completed in the next 48 hours.

Here are examples of three meeting styles in which this approach can be used:

1) Problem solving.
Mission: Review current 401(k) plan concerns and proposals from new providers.?
Outcome: We’ll walk out with three suggested changes for our existing provider and identify two outside proposals from which we’ll request formal presentations.