Stop Wasting Time: 6 Meeting Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Meetings can be a productivity killer when poorly managed. Many professionals, like Jordan, find themselves stuck in unnecessary, unproductive discussions that drain time and energy. Common meeting mistakes include domination by one speaker, lack of real collaboration, going off-topic, constant postponements, micromanagement, and meetings that should’ve been emails.

To fix this, leaders must run meetings with clear goals, structured agendas, and a focus on efficiency. Simple strategies—like keeping discussions on track, using an agenda as a guide, and capturing off-topic ideas separately—can make meetings more productive and engaging.

Key Takeaways

✔ Keep Meetings Collaborative – Avoid one-person monologues and ensure everyone’s input matters.

✔ Stick to the Agenda – Prevent discussions from derailing by consistently referencing meeting goals.

✔ Make Decisions, Not Delays – Ensure meetings lead to actionable outcomes rather than endless postponements.

✔ Respect People’s Time – If it can be an email, don’t make it a meeting.

✔ Encourage Trust & Efficiency – Avoid micromanagement during check-ins to keep morale high.

Take Action

Before scheduling your next meeting, ask yourself:

✅ Is this necessary?

✅ What’s the goal?

✅ Could this be an email?

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