| Hi Debbi,
Let’s be honest:
How many meetings on your calendar this week are about… other meetings?
- Pre-meetings to “align” before the real meeting
- The actual meeting (where little gets decided)
- Post-meetings to interpret what just happened
- Follow-ups to figure out next steps
One decision. Four meetings.
No wonder it feels impossible to get real work done.
This isn’t just a time problem—it’s a culture problem.
Too many meetings are a symptom of something deeper:
- Pre-meetings reveal a fear of open dialogue
- Main meetings become performances, not decisions
- Post-meetings expose a lack of real alignment
- Follow-ups show there’s no clear ownership
It’s like planning a dinner party, but spending so much time on the menu and seating chart that you forget to enjoy the meal.
The result?
- Time wasted in endless discussions
- Trust erodes as the “real” conversations happen elsewhere
- Decisions slow to a crawl
- Innovation dies
- No one feels true ownership
Most of these meetings could be replaced by:
- A clear email
- A direct conversation
- Even better, trusted owners making decisions
Here’s what’s being said:
- “We need a pre-meeting” = “I don’t trust open dialogue”
- “Let’s align offline first” = “I’m afraid of honest disagreement”
- “Let’s discuss this after” = “I won’t say what I think in the room”
Try these steps in your next meeting cycle:
- Challenge the need for pre-meetings:
Ask, “What are we afraid will happen if we discuss this openly?”
- Make meetings count:
Start with, “What’s not being said?”
Welcome constructive conflict. Decide in the room. Assign clear owners.
- Kill the post-meetings:
Make disagreement safe. Record decisions and owners. Trust your team to execute.
Next time someone suggests a pre-meeting, ask:
“What if we had this conversation in the actual meeting where decisions get made?”
When you sense a post-meeting forming, say:
“Let’s discuss those concerns now, while we can address them.”
Ready to reclaim your time and your team’s energy?
I help overwhelmed managers become strategic leaders who get more done in less time, with fewer meetings.
What’s the most pointless meeting on your calendar this week? Hit reply and let me know!
To better meetings,
Jimmy
Jimmy Burroughes transforms overwhelmed managers into strategic leaders. Through his Amplify Leadership program, he helps leaders reclaim their time and maximize their impact. |
