Thorough preparation with clear objectives and roles leads to successful meeting outcomes.
Inclusive meeting designs and designated roles encourage diverse engagement and quality decision-making.
Deep dives
The Cost of Ineffective Meetings
Meetings have become a significant part of working life, with a study showing a tripled increase in meeting time from 2020 to 2022. Companies are losing billions annually due to pointless meetings, impacting employees' productivity. The prevalence of excessive meetings leads to a lack of impactful work, reflecting a concerning trend.
Mastering the Art of Effective Meetings
Claire Hughes Johnson, a seasoned professional in scaling companies, emphasizes the critical role of well-run meetings in organizational success. She highlights the importance of thorough preparation for meetings, especially for high-impact sessions like off-sites. Clear objectives, an inclusive agenda, and defined roles contribute to successful meeting outcomes.
Nurturing Inclusivity in Meetings
Inclusive meetings require deliberate design and facilitation to ensure engagement from diverse perspectives and team members. Establishing designated roles like note-takers or facilitators enhances participation. Ensuring different viewpoints are articulated early on cultivates rich discussions and higher-quality decision-making outcomes.
Anne and Frances are joined by their first “Master Fixer," author Claire Hughes Johnson, who’s here to help you fix your meetings! Her book Scaling People: Tactics for Management and Company Building draws on her executive experiences at Stripe and Google and reveals her techniques for getting the most out of the people she’s leading – especially while they’re gathered together. In this episode, Claire shares her recipe for better meetings, including how to make them more inclusive, why it’s crucial to delegate tasks, and how to make space for dissent.