𝗜𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸-𝘁𝗼-𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀? 𝗟𝗲𝘁'𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆.

Research suggests that executives spend nearly 𝟮𝟯 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝗮 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 in meetings, compared to just 10 hours in the 1960s. Yet, a significant portion of these meetings are reported as ineffective and inefficient. It begs the question: Are we meeting for progress and outcomes or just meeting because it's scheduled and a habit?

There are many pitfalls around meetings. Here are a few of the most common:
- 𝗟𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗢𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀: Meetings often suffer from unclear (or no!) agendas. Without a clear purpose, discussions can meander without achieving anything tangible.
- 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿-𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: In the spirit of inclusivity, we often invite more participants than necessary. This can dilute the decision-making process and lead to longer, less productive sessions.
- 𝗣𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: Without skilled chairing meetings can easily overrun, eating into valuable work time for other projects.

So, what’s the solution? Here are a few actionable steps to reclaim the efficiency of your meetings:
- 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮: Before scheduling a meeting, clearly define its 𝗣𝗨𝗥𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗘. Share an agenda ahead of time and stick to it.
- 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀: Limit the invite list to those who are essential. This makes meetings more focused and dynamic.
- 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲: Start on time, end on time. Consider unconventional timing, like 25 or 50 minutes, to create a buffer for attendees and encourage punctuality. Bear in mind that EVERY meeting can be just as valuable when it is shorter.
- 𝗨𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗶s𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵: Not everything needs a meeting. Leverage asynchronous tools for updates that don't require immediate discussion. This can reduce meeting frequency and increase productivity.
- 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲: Regularly assess the effectiveness of your meetings. Solicit feedback and be willing to change tactics if meetings are not meeting their goals.

The concept of meetings is not inherently flawed, but their traditional conduct often is. By reevaluating our need for meetings and restructuring how we approach them, we can turn these time blocks into sessions of meaningful engagement and decision-making. Let's not meet for the sake of meeting—let's meet to make real progress.

𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: https://lnkd.in/etDNp65Q