Here’s the deal, you need meetings, perhaps frequently, but you need them to be energetic, useful and in the words of consultant Al Pittampalli – modern.

In Read This Before Our Next Meeting, Pittampalli [The Domino Project (August 3, 2011)ISBN-10: 1936719169] lists the seven attributes of what he calls the modern meeting and this is a great framework for how to think about meetings that generate commitment.

1. The Modern Meeting supports a decision that has already been made.

2. The Modern Meeting starts on time, moves fast, and ends on schedule.

3. The Modern Meeting limits the number of attendees.

4. The Modern Meeting rejects the unprepared.

5. The Modern Meeting produces committed action plans.

6. The Modern Meeting refuses to be informational. Reading memos is mandatory.

7. The Modern Meeting works only alongside a culture of brainstorming.

Although I’ve never tried this, I know that some people will only have meetings when everyone is standing up.

It’s amazing how quickly everyone gets to the point when they can’t sit down.

fast, to the point and only if really necessary.
@rich-brooks never heard about the standing technique but sounds useful. Maybe I can apply it with my boss when he starts talking about his fishing trips.

I add Next Steps to each Agenda item after it is discussed. Include a timeline and names of people responsible. This information goes out with the minutes for all to see and guarentees the action will either be completed or addressed in some way, but it will not forgotten and waste time at the next meeting as people scramble.