Let’s face it—meetings have a bad reputation. Most people dread them, and for good reason. They’re often seen as boring, unproductive, and a complete waste of time. But here’s the thing: meetings don’t suck. We suck at running meetings. That’s the real problem. And until we fix how we approach them, we’ll keep wasting time, money, and energy on something that should be one of the most valuable tools in business.
Why Do Meetings Feel Like a Waste of Time?
The frustration with meetings usually boils down to a few common issues:
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No Clear Agenda
Too many meetings are scheduled without a clear purpose or structure. People walk in not knowing what’s being discussed, why they’re there, or what the desired outcome is. Without an agenda, meetings quickly spiral into aimless chatter or endless tangents. -
Overcrowded Rooms
Ever been in a meeting where half the people don’t say a word? That’s because they didn’t need to be there in the first place. Inviting unnecessary participants not only wastes their time but also slows down the decision-making process. -
Poor Time Management
Meetings tend to expand to fill the time allotted. If you schedule an hour, it’ll take an hour—even if the actual discussion only needed 20 minutes. This inefficiency leaves everyone frustrated and behind on their other work. -
Lack of Training
Here’s a wild statistic: most employees spend 1-2 hours a day in meetings, yet 95% of them have never been trained on how to attend, participate in, or run a meeting effectively. Imagine throwing someone into a baseball game without teaching them how to throw, catch, or hit. They’d hate it—and that’s exactly how most people feel about meetings.
Meetings Don’t Have to Suck
The good news is that meetings can be fixed. When done right, they’re not just a necessary evil—they’re a powerful tool for alignment, communication, and decision-making. The key is learning how to run them properly. That’s exactly why I wrote my book, Meetings Suck.
In Meetings Suck, I lay out a simple, actionable framework to turn meetings from time-wasters into productivity boosters. You’ll learn how to:
- Create clear agendas that keep everyone focused and on track.
- Decide who really needs to be in the room (and who doesn’t).
- Manage time effectively so meetings are shorter and more impactful.
- Train your team to participate in and lead meetings with purpose and confidence.
The book is designed for everyone in your organization—not just leaders. Whether you’re a CEO, a manager, or a frontline employee, Meetings Suck will teach you the skills you need to make every meeting count.
The ROI of Better Meetings
Think about this: if the average employee spends 1/8 of their time in meetings, that’s a huge chunk of your payroll tied up in something most people hate. By investing just $12 per employee in Meetings Suck, you can transform how your team approaches meetings—and save your company time, money, and frustration in the process.
So, the next time you catch yourself thinking, “Meetings suck,” remember: it’s not the meetings. It’s how we run them. And with the right tools and training, you can turn meetings into one of your company’s greatest strengths. Pick up a copy of Meetings Suck today and start making your meetings work for you.
