Why You Hate Meetings (And How to Make Them Better)

If you’ve ever sat in a meeting and wondered, “Why am I here?”, you’re not alone. Meetings, especially in the world of small businesses, have become a ubiquitous part of our work culture. But too often, they’re seen as time-wasters, energy-drainers, and productivity-killers. Why? Because most meetings lack two critical elements: purpose and impact.

Let’s start with a simple truth: People don’t inherently hate meetings. 

They hate wasted time. 

They loathe the feeling of spending an hour (or more) of their day without a clear understanding of why or without seeing tangible results. In a world where we’re all doers, creators, and change-makers, every minute counts. And every minute in a meeting should be a step towards making a difference.

The Problem with Most Meetings

Imagine buying a book with a vague title, no table of contents, and no clear storyline. That’s what most meetings feel like. They’re often scheduled out of habit, not necessity. We gather because it’s Monday morning, not because there’s a pressing issue that demands collective brainpower.

In the absence of a clear purpose, meetings become platforms for endless discussions, repetitive updates, and a parade of PowerPoint slides or report-outs that everyone forgets the moment they step out of the room. The narrative gets lost, and so does the audience’s attention.

The Power of Purpose

The first step in transforming meetings is to infuse them with purpose. Before sending out that calendar invite, ask yourself:

• What’s the objective of this meeting?
• What do we hope to achieve by the end?
• Is this the best way to address the issue or topic at hand?

If you can’t answer these questions, reconsider if a meeting is the right format. Sometimes, an email, a quick chat, or a collaborative document might serve the purpose better.

But if a meeting is essential, make the purpose crystal clear. State it at the beginning, remind participants during the discussion, and circle back to it at the end. This not only keeps everyone on track but also ensures that the meeting remains relevant and valuable.

Driving Impact

Purpose sets the direction, but impact drives action. Every meeting should conclude with clear next steps, responsibilities, and deadlines. This isn’t about creating a to-do list; it’s about understanding the bigger picture. It’s about recognizing how the decisions made in that room will ripple out and affect the business, the team, and the customers.

To ensure your meetings are impactful:

• Limit the Attendees: Not everyone needs to be in every meeting. Invite those who can contribute meaningfully and make decisions.
• Encourage Participation: A meeting isn’t a monologue. Encourage diverse perspectives and voices to ensure a richer outcome.
• Time-box Discussions: Allocate specific amounts of time to each agenda item. This creates a sense of urgency and ensures that discussions remain focused.
• End with Clarity: Before concluding, summarize key decisions, assign tasks, and set timelines. Everyone should leave knowing what’s expected of them.

The Small Business Operating System Perspective

For small businesses, time is an especially precious resource. Every hour spent in a non-productive meeting is an hour not spent serving customers, innovating, or growing the business. That’s why, in the small business operating system I’ve designed, the emphasis is on purpose-driven and impact-focused activities. It’s a reminder that every action, every discussion, and every meeting should propel the business forward.

Meetings aren’t the enemy. Purposeless and impact-less meetings are. As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of business, let’s commit to making our gatherings count. Let’s ensure that every time we come together, it’s with intention and a desire to create positive change.

At Evolve, one of our values is “add value.” Meaning, if we’re in the room, it should be better because we’re there. This serves as a framework for our meetings and our cadence. In your discernment of whether or not you have a meeting, simply ask yourself, “does this add value?”