Make meetings matter

Most leaders I work with claim to spend between 50-70% of their time in meetings; most of which they claim are unproductive, de-energising and unnecessary.

Research conducted by Harvard Business School in 2017 (well pre-COVID) showed that 71% of leaders believe meetings are unproductive and inefficient and 61% of leaders claim meetings miss opportunities to bring the team closer together.

Supported by my own research and an analysis of the results of the 5 Disciplines of High Performing Teamsthe lowest scoring indicator is: “Team members leave meetings feeling more focused, supported and energised”.

One of the most significant contributors to current levels of stress and burnout is the waste generated by unproductive and de-energising meetings. We must address this crisis.

Here are 3 things you can do to immediately make meetings matter:

1. Respect your time

If you don’t respect your time, no one else will. Take back control of where you allocate your time and attention. Your time matters. Giving others access to your diary may be efficient, but often results in the ineffective use of your time.

2. Respectfully decline

From this moment, give yourself permission to respectfully decline a meeting invitation that does not clearly state the purpose of the meeting, what outcomes are sought nor outline the preparation you must do. More important, when you issue a meeting request, always state the purpose, what is to be accomplished at the meeting and what preparation all are expected to do.

3. Adopt the 10:60:30 ratio

Structure your meetings so that no more than 10% of the time is spend informing others, allocate 60% to discussing and debating differing views and perspectives and 30% to decide on outcomes and secure others commitment.