We All Need to be Better at Meetings — Here’s How

Do you ever feel like you spend half your life in meetings, many of which could have been an email?

You aren’t alone.

Unnecessary meetings suck your time and energy and stop you from getting things done.

Meetings need a rethink.

This article sets out critical questions for meeting organisers and attendees so that everyone’s wellbeing and productivity needs are prioritised.

Let’s make meetings better.

If You Are Calling the Meeting

1. Is this meeting needed?

Meetings should be a two–way exchange, for example, an opportunity for creative thinking, idea generation, discussion or problem–solving.

We should not use meetings for one–way communication; in other words, the organiser sharing information with the attendees. If you need to share information, pick a different medium; for example, record a short video.

But why shouldn’t you use meetings to share information? Meetings are expensive and disruptive. You should be able to trust people to consume information from you in a more independent way.

Finally, if your reason for calling a meeting is “because we have one every…