BossLady: Amanda Rose reveals her tips on how to finish all work meetings in just 10 minutes

Work meetings that last for hours but never decide anything are soul destroying and “where productive people go to die”. See how to get results in a fraction of the time.

In my world, a good meeting is a 10-minute meeting.

I’m known as 10-Minute Amanda because I insist on this time limit and having only the necessary people in the room, a clear agenda and the need for outcomes.

Why? Because meetings for the sake of meetings can be soul destroying. Badly run meetings are where productive people go to die.

SO, DO WE NEED MEETINGS?

Yes, we need meetings. They are important for getting teams on the same page and for making decisions. But this doesn’t have to take an hour out of your day.

If you cut the chit-chat and fluff that happens, have an agenda and focus on, say, three things you want the meeting to achieve, it will be successful and quicker.

I prefer stand-up meetings. I find if you let people get comfortable with a cuppa or even a working lunch, it will extend the meeting unnecessarily.

Every team member does not have to attend meetings if the agenda is not relevant to their work stream.

Immediately after the meeting, send an email with outcomes and actions to everyone so they know what is expected of them and when it’s due.

If wider team members are part of the actions to be delivered but weren’t in the room, they can be included on that email.

POOR LEADERSHIP

I think a lot of us lack the ability to be decisive and make hard decisions, including on whether you even need a meeting.

Before calling everyone together, ask if a decision can be reached more quickly by phone or email. Does everyone need to be there? Can certain people stay for part of the meeting that’s relevant to them and then leave, or does everyone need to stay?

Everyone should have a chance to contribute to the conversation.

Once that’s decided, make sure everyone who is there contributes to the conversation and decision making – and do not let Alpha personalities dominate.

A good meeting is an inclusive meeting. But remember … inclusivity is different to “I’m going to put everyone into this meeting even though it’s not relevant to them” – that’s just time wasting.

Do you have a work query for Amanda? email [e-mail]
* Amanda Rose is the founder of Small Business Women Australia, a key mentor and career advisor. Visitamandarose.com.au

Originally published as BossLady: Amanda Rose reveals her tips on how to finish all work meetings in just 10 minutes