You know that feeling when you leave a meeting energized? Ideas were flowing, people were doing deep thinking, and there was this sense that something meaningful was happening.
Then two weeks later... crickets.
I came across this research that breaks it down to two essential follow-up actions that can completely change your meeting game:
1. Send meeting notes within 24 hours
Send one page that captures:
Each topic you discussed
The key takeaways
Specific actions with names and deadlines attached
Send notes out ASAP, definitely within 24 hours while the energy and details are still fresh in everyone's minds.
2. Follow up relentlessly
Here's what HBR found: talented, committed people do not always do what they say they will do. And we shouldn't be surprised when they don't; everyone's pulled in different directions with overflowing inboxes and competing priorities. Great leaders help their teams by following up and supporting folks to do what they said they would.
How Graphic Recording Changes Everything
These two ideas are simple, but simple is not necessarily easy. Working with a graphic recorder during your meeting helps take the big lift off your plate for both follow-up essentials:
📋 The meeting notes write themselves. Those key takeaways, action items, and commitments? They're already captured visually in real-time. No scrambling to remember who said what or trying to decipher hastily scribbled notes later.
🔍 Accountability becomes visible. When someone's name is connected to an action item on a big visual map that everyone can see, there's this natural sense of ownership that happens. It's not about pressure – it's about clarity.
💡 People actually remember. We process visual information 60,000 times faster than text. When ideas are captured visually, people can remember them better – then act on them.
📤 Following up feels natural. Instead of sending another text-heavy email that might get skimmed, you can share a photo of the graphic. Everything is right there – the context, the connections, the next steps. Use it in follow up meetings, slack messages, or one-on-ones to help your team get what matters most done.
Your Next Steps
Try the 24-hour rule: Send meeting summaries the same day
Build in follow-up: Schedule check-ins when you make commitments
Consider graphic recording: For your most important meetings, capture decisions visually for clearer follow-through
Curious about bringing graphic recording to your next strategic meeting? I'd love to hear what you're working on.
Where in the World is ConverSketch?
Missoula, Montana: Working with the Blackfeet Nation to map out their needs and priorities for funding, then presenting to and connecting with funders and partners to continue the work after the meeting.
In the Studio: Working on videos for High Quality Individual Education Programs. You can see finished videos in the series here.
Thank you for your collaboration, humor, and what you do to make the world a better place.
Cheers,