Meetings That Move the Needle
Summary
Meetings should drive execution, not just discussion. The best meetings happen when individual contributors take the lead, with leadership stepping in to push for action when things stall. Instead of using meetings to βsync up,β use them as working sessions where real progress happens. This article breaks down how to structure meetings for action, accountability, and real results.
The Problem: Meetings That Donβt Do Anything
Weβve all been in bad meetingsβones where:
The wrong people are in the room.
Nothing actually happensβjust more talking.
Itβs just a status update disguised as a meeting.
The issue isnβt meetings themselves. Itβs how theyβre used. If a meeting isnβt actively moving work forward, itβs just a distraction.
The Fix: Use Meetings as Execution Blocks
Instead of treating meetings as check-ins, use them as execution time where work happens in real-time.
1. Individual Contributors Should Take PointβWith Leadership Support
A lot of people hesitate to schedule meetings, but when you need input from multiple people, a well-run meeting is the fastest way to get it.
β Leaders should step in when they see things stalling: βPull the right people together tomorrow at 2βdoes that work?β
β This keeps things moving while making sure the individual contributor owns the meeting.
2. Get the Right People & Set a Deadline
A working session isnβt a conference callβitβs a focused breakout with a clear goal.
β Keep the group smallβjust the people needed to push the work forward.
β Set a deadlineβdonβt let it sit in limbo.
β Meetings should produce something tangibleβnot just another list of follow-ups.
3. Meetings Create Accountability
When you bring people into a working session, you get real engagementβnot just a vague email reply.
β Shared responsibility makes the work move faster and with better input.
β Itβs easier to ignore an email than a meeting where people expect real updates.
4. Keep 1-on-1s on the Calendar
Not every meeting needs to be a working session, but 1-on-1s should stay scheduled. Some weeks theyβll be a quick check-in; other weeks, theyβll turn into deep work. Either way, keep them.
Making This the Default Approach
The best teams donβt waste time in meetingsβthey solve problems in real time. If you need multiple people to weigh in, pull them together and get it done.
π Download the updated Playbook Overview to see how this approach fits into the broader workflow strategy.
π¬ Letβs Talk Execution!
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