If you could kill one type of meeting, which would it be (And why)
If You Could Kill One Type of Meeting, Which Would It Be? (And Why?)
Meetings are a necessary evil in the world of work, but sometimes they feel more like a nightmare than a productive endeavor. As both an organizer and an attendee, I’ve experienced my fair share of meetings that were supposed to last 30 minutes but stretched over an hour, with participants showing up late, veering off-topic, and engaging in unproductive arguments. If you’re nodding your head in agreement, you’re definitely not alone.
In a recent discussion, I posed the question: “What’s the one meeting you’d nuke if you could?” The responses poured in, revealing a common theme—meetings that lack focus, preparation, and respect for everyone’s time. Here’s a summary of the top contenders for meetings we’d love to see eradicated.
1. All Hands Meetings
Several respondents expressed their disdain for all-hands meetings, which often devolve into lengthy status updates where team members read from a list of items they’re working on. One commenter described these meetings as a “complete time waster,” suggesting that this information should be self-served unless there are red flags to discuss. The consensus is clear: these meetings drain 1-2 hours every week without providing significant value.
2. Status Update Meetings
Many expressed frustration with regular status update meetings, particularly when they involve multiple departments or teams. One individual noted that three-quarters of the participants might not be actively engaged in the project at hand, leading to a scenario where “this meeting could have been an email.” A suggestion was made to streamline communication by providing updates via email instead of gathering everyone for redundant discussions.
3. Daily Standups
Daily standups are intended to be quick check-ins, but some feel they drag on unnecessarily. One contributor suggested that after providing their update, team members should be free to leave, especially since morning meetings can often set a negative tone for the rest of the day. The idea that standups can turn into “pissing contests” between engineers only furthers the argument that they need to be re-evaluated.
4. Backlog Refinement Meetings
Backlog refinement and maintenance meetings were also highlighted as a potential target for cancellation. One commenter noted that 90 minutes a month could easily be replaced with a simple group chat, indicating that these lengthy sessions often fail to generate meaningful discussion.
5. 1:1 Mentoring Meetings
A unique perspective was shared regarding 1:1 mentoring meetings, where seniors repeatedly answer the same questions from newly onboarded juniors. The suggestion here is to streamline this process, perhaps by creating a shared resource that new hires can refer to before their meetings, thus making the best use of both the mentors’ and juniors’ time.
6. Meetings Without Homework
A particularly strong sentiment shared was the desire to cancel any meeting where attendees are unprepared. One respondent argued that if participants hadn’t done their homework, they shouldn’t attend. This highlights the importance of preparation — meetings should be spaces for informed discussion, not a platform for on-the-spot thinking, which rarely leads to productive outcomes.
7. The Bouncer Idea
In a light-hearted but poignant suggestion, one contributor proposed hiring a “bouncer” for meetings. This bouncer would have the authority to remove participants who engage in behaviors that derail the meeting, such as excessive small talk, failing to read the materials, or asking questions that have already been answered. While this idea may be humorous, it underscores a serious point about maintaining focus and discipline in meetings.
Conclusion: Empower Teams to Nuke Ineffective Meetings
The overarching theme in this discussion is the call for teams to be empowered to eliminate ineffective meetings. If team members recognize that a meeting is not adding value, they should feel confident in proposing alternative methods of communication.
As leaders, it’s crucial to foster an environment where team members can voice their concerns about meeting effectiveness. Instead of clinging to traditional meeting structures, we should be open to innovative solutions that respect everyone’s time and energy.
What’s your worst meeting story? What types of meetings would you nuke? Let’s continue this conversation and work together to make meetings more effective and less of a burden.