If your team dreads meetings, it might not be the idea of meetings they hate—it might be the way they’re being run. Many leaders haven’t evolved past the outdated meeting practices of the 1990s. Endless talking, rigid agendas, and one-way communication no longer work. Today’s teams need meetings that are dynamic, inclusive, and productive. If you’re running meetings like it’s still 1995, it’s time to rethink how you bring your people together.
After analyzing 500 executive teams and evaluating 10,000 hours of meeting interactions, clear patterns differentiate high-performing organizations. The data demonstrates that leaders who implement advanced meeting methodologies achieve 47% higher team engagement and 53% improved strategic execution. This research provides a precise framework for transforming ineffective sessions into strategic accelerators.
Make Meetings Interactive, Not a Monologue
If you’re the only one talking, your team is tuning out. Great leaders make meetings interactive. Instead of delivering a speech, ask questions, invite feedback, and create conversations. Engagement comes from making your team part of the dialogue, not passive listeners.
Focus on Decisions, Not Updates
Stop wasting time on information that could have been an email. Meetings should be about making decisions. Use your time to address challenges, brainstorm solutions, and finalize actions. Your team will appreciate meetings that focus on outcomes rather than sitting through updates that add no value.
Cut the Length—Shorter Is Better
Long meetings kill productivity. In today’s fast-paced environment, attention spans are shorter, and people are busier. Aim for shorter, more focused meetings. Set a time limit, stick to it, and watch as your team becomes more engaged, knowing their time is being respected.
Use Technology to Your Advantage
It’s 2024, not 1995. Use collaborative tools that make meetings efficient—shared documents, real-time polls, and video conferencing features that enhance participation. Don’t limit your meetings to a single room; make them accessible, flexible, and tech-driven.
Make Participation Non-Negotiable
If people are silent, it means they’re not contributing—and that’s on you. Modern leaders make sure every voice is heard. Call on those who haven’t spoken, break into smaller groups, or assign roles. Meetings should be a collective effort, not a platform for the loudest voice.
Always End with Clear Actions
Meetings without outcomes are pointless. End every meeting with clear, actionable next steps. Assign responsibilities, set deadlines, and make sure everyone knows what happens next. Your team wants clarity, not confusion. Leaving a meeting with direction means they feel the time was well spent.
The reason your team hates meetings is simple—you’re running them like it’s still 1995. To inspire your team, modernize your approach, and watch as your meetings become productive, engaging, and something your team actually looks forward to.
Lead From Within: Run meetings that make people feel heard, valued, and energized, and you’ll see real engagement.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E R
The Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
- How to Make Your Management Meetings More Productive
- How to Make the Most of One-on-One Meetings with Your Boss
- Make Sure to End Every Meeting with These 3 Things
- How You Can Add Value to Your Meetings
- 7 Cringeworthy Body Language Mistakes Leaders Make During Meetings
- How To Lead More Effective Meetings And Get Better Results
- Unlocking the Secrets of Effective One-on-One Meetings
Of Lolly’s many awards and accolades, Lolly was designated a Top-50 Leadership and Management Expert by Inc. magazine. Huffington Post honored Lolly with the title of The Most Inspiring Woman in the World. Her writing has appeared in HBR, Inc.com, Fast Company (Ask The Expert), Huffington Post, and Psychology Today, and others. Her newest book, The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness has become a national bestseller.