Q: How to “backseat” manage a meeting when it’s poorly run?

A: Some dos and don’ts:

Do: support the chair; bring others back to the agenda topic if the discussion goes off track; bring people who haven’t said much into the discussion; focus on the important points; summarise the discussion at the (apparent) end of each topic; check agreement to the conclusions; and (periodically) remind others of the time left.

Don’t: hog the discussion; over-elaborate your opinions; make irrelevant points; relate unnecessary anecdotes; overrule others; dismiss others’ opinions; or encourage/indulge in diversions from the agenda.