A number of months ago I received many comments on a blog I wrote about Patrick Lencioni’s Death By Meeting. That first blog focused on how so many meetings are ineffective, time-sucking exercises. Of course, Lencioni offers several effective solutions so I thought a “Part II” would be appropriate; this time, specifically addressing meeting length.
Isn’t it amazing that everything that needs to be resolved takes exactly 60 minutes? Not 35 or 10, not even 55 minutes. If you schedule a 60-minute meeting, you can pretty much guarantee that meeting is going to last the full 60 minutes. But…is that a good use of time? Research now tells us that not only is 60 minutes not necessarily effective, it may be counter-effective.
That’s right. You see, often a meeting will address a subject in 15 or even 20 minutes. However, participants feel an obligation to fill the remaining 40 or 45 minutes and that’s where the trouble starts. You lose clarity. You dilute next steps. You confuse roles and responsibilities. Folks dive off into tangents.
The result? A lack of clarity, unknown roles or responsibilities, and convoluted next steps. And folks hurrying off for their next meeting or to catch up. “Phew, now what was that meeting about?” they say afterwards.
The answer? Think about scheduling 30-minute meetings. That’s it. A 30-minute meeting:
- Encourages clear and concise discussion
- Decreases the temptation to veer off topic
- Focuses participants on what needs to be done
Most importantly, end the 30-minute meeting with clarity, well-defined roles and responsibilities, and actionable next steps. Read the items off at the very end. Ask everyone, one-by-one, whether they understand their role, their responsibility, next steps, and deadlines. And then stop! Dismissed. “Thanks everyone, great meeting.” “Wonderful, now let’s go get it done.” If truly the subject requires a touch more time, fine. If you need a follow-up meeting, go ahead and schedule future time. But don’t feel the obligation to fill 60 minutes.
I love this quick video – sure, an exaggeration, but a little too much truth. It kinda hurts.
Let me know if this helps. It sure helps me be more effective.
