I dislike pointless meetings. No. I HATE pointless meetings. 😡
Not in the "ugh-this-is-annoying" kind of way. No, I genuinely hate them. You know the feeling — sitting there, clock-watching, wondering how fast you can get out of here?
But here’s the thing: meetings can work. They can be energizing, efficient, even inspiring. The key? They need a purpose. And structure. And someone who’s not afraid to say: “Maybe this meeting doesn’t need to happen at all.”
A few lessons I’ve learned along the way:
1. Shorter is smarter.
Defaulting to 30 or 60 minutes? Cut that. Make it 20. Or 45. Most meetings expand to fill the time they’re given — and waste half of it.
2. Stand up. Or walk.
A standing meeting keeps energy up and minds sharp. A walking meeting? Even better. Fresh air = fresh thinking.
3. No agenda = no meeting.
Send it in advance. Make each point a question to be answered. That’s where real clarity begins.
4. Know who’s leading.
Sounds basic, but too often meetings float. The organizer (or whoever’s leading) sets the tone, keeps time, invites contributions — especially from those who aren’t always the loudest in the room.
5. End with clear actions. Every time.
Wrap up with next steps, responsibilities, and deadlines. Then follow up. In writing. Otherwise… it didn’t happen.
6. Want to get better at meetings?
Evaluate each one. Ask for feedback. Share what could be improved.
One more thing:
If you’re not sure a meeting is necessary — it probably isn’t. A clear message, a call, or even a voice memo can often do the trick. Be honest about the why behind your invite.
That’s how we sharpen systems — and save hours we’ll never get back.
