Why Most Meetings Suck—And How to Fix Yours Instantly

Top Pitfalls and Instant Fixes from Productivity Ninjas, Backed by Science and Real-World Success Stories

It’s a universal complaint: 'That meeting could have been an email.' But why are so many meetings so bad? Research and expert reviews, including the insights from Graham Allcott and Hayley Watts, reveal that most meetings fail because they lack a clear purpose, have too many attendees, and don’t end with concrete actions. The HiPPO effect—where the Highest Paid Person’s Opinion dominates—stifles real discussion. The fix? Use the two pizza rule, limit meetings to those with a stake in the outcome, and always end with assigned actions and deadlines.

Behavioral science shows that when people know their input matters, they’re more likely to engage and contribute. Open and close meetings with a quick round where everyone speaks. Keep meetings short and focused, and use digital tools for updates rather than gathering everyone for every decision. Action-focused minutes, not lengthy transcripts, drive results.

Real-world success stories abound: companies that introduced meeting-free days or opt-in attendance report higher productivity and morale. Leaders who model these behaviors inspire teams to follow suit. The message is clear: meetings don’t have to suck. With a few simple changes, yours can become the best part of your week.
References: Amazon Book Page, Graham Allcott Blog