Meetings That Don’t Suck: A Survival Guide

Because who said meetings have to be a snooze-fest?

Let’s be real: meetings can be a drag. They can feel like a time-suck where everyone’s just talking in circles, and nobody really knows what’s going on. But what if we told you that meetings don’t have to suck? What if meetings could be fun, engaging, and—dare we say it—productive?

You heard us right. In this guide, we’re going to give you all the tools you need to transform your meetings from dreadful to dynamic. Get ready to run meetings that people actually look forward to. Let’s dive in.

1. Start with a Purpose – No ‘Let’s Just Catch Up’ Vibes!

Tip: Every meeting needs a clear purpose. If there’s no point to the meeting, don’t hold it!

No more “Let’s just catch up” or “Let’s meet to talk about nothing in particular.” People’s time is valuable, and the last thing anyone wants is a meeting that feels like an aimless gossip session. Start every meeting with a solid agenda:

🎯 Why are we here?

🎯 What’s the goal?

🎯 What do we need to achieve by the end?

Pro-tip: Send the agenda out beforehand so everyone knows what’s going down. That way, everyone is prepared, and there are no awkward “So, what’s the plan again?” moments.

2. The 10-Minute Rule – Keep It Snappy!

Tip: No meeting should last longer than it needs to. You don’t have to drag things on for an hour to make them “important.”

Everyone knows the longer a meeting goes on, the more likely it is to descend into a talking-over-each-other, yawning, mind-wandering mess. So, what can we do to avoid that?

🕰 Shorten the meeting time! Try this: If it’s a weekly check-in, aim for 10-15 minutes—MAX.🕰 If there’s a lot to cover, set a timer for each topic. It’ll keep everyone focused and make the meeting feel like less of a time commitment.

Pro-tip: If people go off-topic, gently remind them: “That sounds like a different meeting,” and steer the ship back on course.

3. Keep the Energy Up – No One Likes a Meeting Zombie

Tip: No more talking at people. It’s all about creating engagement and interaction.

Imagine this: You're in a meeting, and the energy is low. Everyone’s checking their phones, yawning, or staring off into space. We’ve all been there, right? Well, let’s change that.

💥 Use visuals to spice things up – People process visuals faster than words. Bring in a quick chart, a cool image, or a meme (yes, really!) to illustrate a point.

💥 Get people involved – Don’t be the only one talking. Ask questions, get input, and invite everyone to share. Try asking something like: “What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced this week?” or “Who has a fun idea to solve this?”

💡 Pro-tip: Let people speak without interruption. Nothing sucks the energy out of a room faster than someone cutting others off.

4. The ‘Stand Up’ Meeting Hack – Get Everyone Moving

Tip: Ditch the comfy chairs for a meeting that’s more active.

Want to instantly make your meetings more dynamic? Try standing up! No, seriously. Standing meetings can increase focus and reduce the time people spend zoning out (not to mention, they’re good for your posture!).

💡 Bonus: People are less likely to ramble on if they’re standing. Plus, it adds a little “power” to the moment. Just like in those TED Talks where the speakers are standing tall and confident.

🕴 Pro-tip: If you can’t do a standing meeting, suggest “walking meetings” where you chat while strolling outside for a change of scenery. It’s amazing how much more creative you can feel when you're moving around.

5. End with Action – Leave the Meeting with Clarity

Tip: Wrap up with clear action items and next steps. No more “We’ll figure it out later.”

A meeting without clear next steps is like a movie with no conclusion. It leaves you wondering, “Wait, what happens now?”

At the end of every meeting:

🔑 Summarize key points – What decisions were made? What problems were solved?

🔑 List action items – Who’s doing what, by when? Get specific and assign tasks with clear deadlines.🔑 Follow up – Send a quick recap email (don’t leave it to chance).

Pro-tip: This is a game changer for accountability. No more “I thought you were handling that” confusion.

6. No Tech Disasters – Keep the Tech Under Control

Tip: Test everything before the meeting starts, and keep tech issues to a minimum.

We’ve all been there: You’re 15 minutes into a meeting, and the projector isn’t working, or no one can hear the person on the conference call. Tech glitches are a meeting killer. So, do yourself a favor:

🖥 Check your tech before the meeting starts – Make sure microphones, cameras, and screens are all functioning.

🖥 Have a backup plan – If something goes wrong, know what to do next (or at least have a co-host who can jump in).

Pro-tip: If you're using a video call, mute everyone’s mic when they’re not talking. No one needs to hear your dog barking in the background.

7. Ending on a Positive Note – Don’t Forget to Celebrate

Tip: Close the meeting with a win, no matter how small.

End on a high note, even if the meeting was about something tricky. If you’re all about keeping morale up, highlight something that went well during the session.

🎉 Example: “Great teamwork today, everyone! We made some serious progress on that project.”

🎉 Or: “Can everyone take a moment to appreciate how quickly we solved that challenge?”

Pro-tip: A positive close gives people a reason to look forward to the next meeting instead of dreading it. The goal isn’t just to accomplish tasks—it’s to make people feel good about the work they’re doing.

Final Thoughts

Meetings don’t have to suck. With a little planning, clear goals, and a dash of fun, you can turn any meeting into a productive and engaging session.

To help you put these tips into action, download our free Meeting Master Checklist—your go-to guide for running smooth, efficient meetings every time.

Now go run your meetings like a pro!