How many times have you sat in a meeting only to walk out thinking ‘that was a waste of time’ or ‘what was the purpose of that meeting’? Unfortunately, a significant number of the meetings you attend are just simply – ‘unproductive’.

Unproductive meetings prevent you from focusing on the most important tasks that you need to get done in your day.



1. The meeting invite has no clear agenda
2. You are unsure of the attendees or the role they will play in this meeting
3. You have no understanding of what the required outcome for this meeting is.
4. You don’t know your role in this meeting or why you are attending?

If you get invited to a meeting like this, go back to the meeting organiser and ask for clarification on the above.



• can you achieve the same outcome via a phone, an email, or a direct message?


• outline each agenda item with who will lead, what decision(s) need to be made and who is expected to make the decision.
• be concise on what the meeting is about and the expected outcome
• Don’t allow the meeting to get off the agenda, people will lose focus and you lose control of the meeting.


• participants should have a purpose in the meeting and know what their role is.
• If you invite someone as an observer only, let them know and make them optional.


• if any pre-reading is required prior, make it clear this must be read before the meeting.
• be sure to send out pre-reading in enough time prior to the meeting that attendees will have time to read it.


• Ban non-related technology
• Ensure everyone in attendance is focused.






Follow my 8 steps above and you will be the Rockstar of your team and make your next meeting an effective and productive one.

Stop the time wasted meeting

Signs you are about to go into a ‘Time Wasted’ meeting

8 Steps to Running an Effective Meeting

Step 2:  Set A Clear Agenda & Stick To It

Step 1:  Decide If the Meeting is Needed

Step 3:  Invite Only Those That Need To Attend

Step 4:  Be Prepared

Step 5:  Ban Distractions

Step 6:  Start and End On Time

Step 8:  Recap and Close

Step 7:  Assign Actions and Deadlines