Million Dollar Meetings and Minimal Results

"Meetings are indispensable when you don't want to do anything."

- John Galbraith

Meetings are looked at as a sign that work is getting done in organizations.  You likely spend a lot of time in "event" meetings where it is scheduled on your calendar as a weekly, biweekly, or monthly event.  Calculate the total salary that is tied up in these meetings.  Now look at the results of these meetings.  Does the investment in time and resources match the outcome or results?  


Sometimes the best decision a leader can make is not to meet.  Take a closer look at your meetings through the lens of the following questions:

1. Why are we having this meeting?
2. How will everyone be smarter as a result of this meeting?
3. What would happen if this meeting did not occur?
4. Is there a more effective/efficient way to gather and disseminate the information?
5. Is there an expectation that work occurs outside of these meetings?
6. How could the time set aside for "event" meetings be better utilized to accomplish organizational goals?

How did you do with your answers?  Are you utilizing your time in a way that matches your stated priorities?  Challenge yourself to rethink and revolutionize your leadership practices by asking questions about everything.  Always start with WHY... Otherwise, you will be going through the motions with little movement to show for it.  

The way we have always done it is probably not the way we need to do it today and is certainly not the way we need to do it tomorrow.

A great resource for revamping your approach to meetings in "Read This Before Our Next Meeting".  It is a quick, insightful read about the modern meeting standard.