Stop! Why the Best Meeting May Be No Meeting

Stop! Why the Best Meeting May Be No Meeting

NO MEETINGS: Recent research from Stanford indicates the best meeting may be: no meeting! Researchers found that more new and better ideas were generated without meetings than with meetings.

IF YOU MUST MEET: Put some time into making sure that your meetings are effective. There is both an art and a science to running a good meeting. Since most of us sit through so many, we should endeavor to make sure that they are productive.

LEARN FROM THE PROS: Leaders who receive high marks from those who must sit through their meetings have learned a few things about what works. Here’s some simple ways to make meetings better or not have them at all.

Especially in an age of Zoom fatigue, we can all use fewer screen meetings with no real purpose or outcome. 

What Should You Do?

PREPARE: Most leaders know that meetings should have an agenda and that you should encourage people to prepare in advance, but what’s the most effective tool? Long memos sent in advance may rarely be read. Instead, encourage people to send you short videos or visuals before the meeting that address their thoughts and ideas on the meeting agenda. That way, you can limit the meeting to brainstorming effectively or making decisions.

LIMIT TIME, ATTENDEES, AND FREQUENCY: Research has shown that meetings are unlikely to succeed if there are more than eight attendees. Likewise, our average attention span is eighteen minutes. After that, people zone out and productivity diminishes. If you must include more people, structure break-out groups for smaller numbers. If you have mastered preparation, eighteen minutes should be enough. If you need more time, schedule breaks or weekly meetings until you meet your goals.

UPDATE LOCALES AND ACTIVITIES: The tech world has made stand-up meetings famous and indeed, research has shown that people are more energized and productive in those kinds of events. Perhaps consider a stand-up Zoom meeting? Outdoor meetings around a fire pit, walks or hikes may also get us through this dark time. Even in winter weather, invite participants to bundle up and come along (with masks, of course). The famously optimistic and productive Norwegians train their children from an early age to run outside for all kinds of activities – even in winter — and the adults follow along.

“NO MEETING” DAYS: If you have the authority, schedule “no meeting” days for your teams. Research has shown that allowing people to work — especially on new or creative endeavors – without interruptions may lead to breakthroughs.

For more ideas on how to have productive meetings and make decisions collectively, go to www.workplacesthatwork.com.

What Do You Think?

Have you tried the tool of daily questions? Contact us at: 303-216-1020 or Lynne@workplacesthatwork.com