The Surprising Science of Meetings by Steven Rogelberg

I’ve always hated meetings. Always and forever. I could never understand why so many meetings happen so often, what their purpose is, why they exist in the first place. Whenever I ran meetings — which was rare — I tried to keep them as short and succinct as possible, and I could never understand why others didn’t try to do the same. I loved this book for it’s simplicity backed by science, and I highly, highly recommend it for any managers out there or for anyone who has ever attended a meeting. That makes, well, most of us.

• Meetings allow the smallest voices to have an opportunity to be heard; they promote consensus, driving energy
• Employees connect, voice their opinions, tackle problems, create a shared understanding
• Meeting leaders rate their meetings as “good”, while others don’t see it as such; leaders tend to talk way too much
• Phones? Talking on the side? Not a good reflection of leadership
• An effective leader shares power and is satisfied when others do well and have success — “Servant-And-Giver-Meetings”, the “giver” mindset
• Parkinson’s Law — If we have space, we fill it; try a 48-minute meeting
• Some level of stress is good, keeps you focued
• Try “The Huddle” — ten or 15 minutes, start of the day, focused and on task
• “Magic Time” — A standard meeting hour kept open by employees
• Meeting Agenda’s are crucial, but it doesn’t naturally lead to an effective meeting — order matters, employee voices heard, big issues first; assign “owners” to agenda items to foster accountability and participation
• If you are trying to solve a problem, 8 people or less; brainstorming? up to 18 people; too many people isn’t good either
• Notes should be taken in real time, by a meeting attendee, distributed to all parties after the meeting and should include owners of action items
• Change the seating arrangements in meetings as we become accustomed to one seat and the same people around us
• Walking meeting? reduces obesity and heart disease, increases creativity and focus. 2 to 4 people.
• Standing has health benefits and increases meeting satisfaction and efficiency
• Leaders set the tone for the meeting, they should greet attendees, offer snacks, play music?
• Discourage multi tasking during meetings, purposeful opening statement, different approaches such as stretching, partner discussions
• Silence is golden sometimes? Fosters thinking, doesn’t have to be awkward
• Brainwriting — Silently writing down ideas around a particular topic before sharing them in meetings
• Call-in meetings are difficult, does anyone really pay attention? Although they are necessary from time to time
• Meetings: connection, build relationships, networks, support, ideas, thoughts, opinions
• Leaders and employees create a shared understanding, teamwork, efficiency
• Committment to goals, initiatives, aspirations
• Try, reflect, learn