The Power of You to Truly Make Meetings Work | Steven Rogelberg | TEDxUNCCharlotte

Summary

In this engaging talk, an organizational psychologist explores the often-dreaded subject of meetings, arguing for their potential as powerful tools for collaboration and decision-making. With statistics highlighting the overwhelming number of meetings and the frustration they often cause, she emphasizes the need for improvement rather than elimination. Key insights include the benefits of well-structured agendas, the value of inclusivity, and innovative formats like walking meetings. By adopting stewardship over others' time and focusing on quality, leaders can transform meetings from time sinks into valuable opportunities for engagement and productivity.

Takeaways

• 😀 There are approximately 55 million meetings held daily in the U.S., highlighting their ubiquity.
• 😀 Over 70% of senior managers consider meetings to be unproductive, yet they are often the ones calling them.
• 😀 The elimination of bad meetings, rather than all meetings, is crucial for organizational efficiency.
• 😀 Research shows that standing meetings can be just as effective but take half the time of seated meetings.
• 😀 Brainstorming in silence can lead to nearly double the ideas generated, promoting creativity.
• 😀 High-quality meetings can mitigate the negative impact of excessive meetings on employee well-being.
• 😀 Effective meeting leaders should view themselves as stewards of others' time and prioritize meaningful agendas.
• 😀 Keep meetings small and avoid defaulting to one-hour blocks; tailored meeting lengths can enhance focus.
• 😀 Unconventional meeting formats, like walking meetings, can increase satisfaction and creativity.
• 😀 Organizing meeting agendas around questions to be answered can improve focus and effectiveness.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the talk?

The main theme is about improving the effectiveness of meetings and recognizing the role individuals can play in making them more productive.

Why are meetings often seen as unproductive?

Meetings are seen as unproductive due to their high frequency and the common perception that they waste time, with over 70% of senior managers labeling their own meetings as unproductive.

What is 'meeting recovery syndrome'?

Meeting recovery syndrome refers to the lingering negative feelings and ruminations that occur after attending a bad meeting, impacting overall well-being and productivity.

How can meeting formats influence productivity?

Research shows that standing meetings are just as effective as sitting ones but take half the time, while brainstorming in silence can generate more creative and innovative ideas.

What do high-quality meetings contribute to employee engagement?

High-quality meetings lead to increased employee engagement, as they feel more included and valued, which correlates with better performance and job satisfaction.

What practices should meeting leaders adopt to improve meetings?

Meeting leaders should think of themselves as stewards of time, invite only necessary participants, avoid default one-hour meetings, and actively seek feedback on their meeting practices.

What is the significance of organizing agendas by questions?

Organizing agendas by questions helps clarify meeting goals, determines necessary participants, and establishes clear criteria for measuring meeting success.

Why is it important to limit the number of participants in a meeting?

Limiting participants helps maintain focus, encourages participation, and ensures that only those essential for the discussion are present, reducing wasted time.

How can walking meetings be beneficial?

Walking meetings can enhance satisfaction and creativity, provided they involve small groups and appropriate agendas, promoting a more relaxed and open environment.

What can leaders do to create a welcoming environment in meetings?

Leaders can create a welcoming environment by greeting attendees, introducing people to each other, and occasionally providing snacks, which fosters a sense of appreciation.