Meeting Best Practices - 8 Steps You Can Take Immediately To Have Influence
Meetings are killing productivity. Research shows that 71% of meetings are considered unproductive, with an estimated $37 billion lost per year to unproductive meetings Zippia. That's not just wasted time—it's wasted influence. Every meeting is an opportunity to lead, persuade, and drive action. Here are eight steps to make your meetings matter:
Have a Clear Agenda—Every Time
No agenda means no focus. Share it in advance. Define the purpose, desired outcomes, and time allocated for each topic. Agendas create accountability and keep everyone on track.
Start and End on Time
Respect people's time. Start when you said you would, even if not everyone's arrived. End on time or early. Chronic late starts and long meetings signal you don't value what you're asking for: attention.
Turn Your Camera On
If it's virtual, be visible. Your presence matters. Eye contact, facial expressions, and engagement can't happen if you're a black screen. Show up fully.
Limit Attendees
More people doesn't mean more productivity. Invite only those who need to be there. Everyone else can get a recap.
Facilitate, Don't Dominate
Your job as the leader isn't to do all the talking. Ask questions. Invite input. Make space for others to contribute. Influence happens through dialogue, not monologue.
Eliminate Distractions
Close your laptop. Silence your phone. If you're checking email during the meeting, you're telling everyone you don't think this is important. They'll follow your lead.
Summarize and Assign Action Items
End every meeting with clear next steps. Who's doing what by when? Without this, nothing happens.
Follow Up
Send a brief recap within 24 hours. Reiterate action items and deadlines. This keeps momentum and accountability alive.
Meetings are influence opportunities. Don't waste them.
