Do you want to learn how to end a meeting without being rude?

Are you looking for some tips to help you end a business meeting, luncheon, or coffee break with tact?

It’s a fact of life, but all meetings must eventually come to an end.

Attendees must make other appointments and meetings and get on with their day.

That all sounds straightforward enough, but what happens when everyone is thoroughly enjoying themselves?

People are having lively, engaging conversations, and there’s smiles and laughter all around.

Managing a meeting may be one thing, but carefully navigating a sea of social customs is entirely another!

In this post, you’ll find several practical tips to help you end a meeting without being rude.

Use the below tips anytime you need to gracefully, and politely, end a work meeting.

Use a reliable time keeping device.

This may seem like common sense, but is worth noting. If you’re going to end a meeting on time, you need to have a reliable time keeping device in your immediate possession.

Don’t assume a clock or digital display will be available or readily visible at your location.

What’s more, if there is an available time keeping device in a restaurant, hotel, or conference room, there’s no guarantee the device will be accurate.

All the more reason to make sure you always have a timekeeping device close at hand.

Practical ideas include using a wristwatch, fitness tracker, or your cellphone or smartphone.

Setup time checks.

Time checks are preset reference points you create for yourself so you can track time during a meeting.

You should establish at least three time checks for yourself at the beginning of any meeting.

The first time check should be a general announcement to let people know the meeting will soon be coming to an end. This check should happen around twenty minutes before the end of the meeting.

The second time check is a prompt to get people to the door and on their way. This time check should take place fifteen minutes before the end of the meeting.

The third time check is at the meeting end. At this point in time, meeting attendees should be leaving the meeting area and making their way towards the door.

You may find it helpful to set silent timers for yourself on your timekeeping device. This way, you won’t have to stare at the clock for the duration of the meeting.

Don’t forget to account for social customs.

One of the more challenging aspects of ending a business meeting is dealing with social customs.

Common business social customs include exchanging business cards, shaking hands, picking up bags, briefcases, umbrellas, and coats from a coat-check, hailing a taxicab, retrieving a car from valet service, and so on.

If you think it will take people a mere two minutes to say their farewells and collect their belongings, then you should think twice!

At the very least, you should factor in 10 minutes for people to pack up their belongings and say their farewells.

And of course, feel free to factor in more time as you see fit.

Be polite, yet firm, when ending a meeting.

You don’t have to be rude to end a meeting. Just be polite and brief. That’s truly all it takes.

If you need to end a meeting, you could say something like: “Excuse me, we’re out of time and we have to end the meeting. Would everyone please collect their belongings and make their way out of the conference room?”

Depending on the situation, you may have to repeat yourself more than once to ensure everyone leaves the area. Don’t be afraid to speak up and repeat your announcement; the meeting must come to and end.

How about you? What’s the most difficult aspect of wrapping up a meeting that’s in full swing? Join the conversation and leave a comment below!