Everyone working in any organization knows that meetings occur at a frantic pace, with managers spending an average of 23 hours per week in meetings. Much of what happens in these meetings is considered to have low value, or even to be counterproductive, according to a report in the newspaper ” “. The irony lies in the fact that bad meetings generate more meetings in an attempt to fix the damage caused by previous meetings. It all starts with a simple question, often forgotten: Why do we meet?
Based on a series of studies covering thousands of meetings, researchers found that there are four main types of meeting objectives. They clarified that the method and timing of the meeting should be chosen according to its main purpose, rather than habit.
Furthermore, the study identifies simple yet effective means to improve the group meeting experience. Researchers explained that companies where only the loudest voices are heard in meetings are rarely successful outside the meeting room. On the contrary, well-managed meetings can become spaces for co-creation, mutual respect, and collective innovation.
The goal should not be to have fewer meetings, but better meetings. Meetings that respect everyone’s time and effort. Meetings that give everyone a voice. Meetings that build communication and enhance company productivity and employee well-being.
