💼 The Meeting Challenge
I have heard many conversations concerning meetings in the workplace.
Workers often say they are meaningless, a waste of time that pulls them away from “real work.”
And honestly? I have felt that way too.
But it is not just employees.
Managers themselves also shy away from meetings. Some dread them. Others see them as unnecessary interruptions. Many feel it is just another chance for finger-pointing, long-winded complaints, or being put on the spot. And so they avoid them, delay them, or run them half-heartedly just to tick the box.
But in dysfunctional organizations, meetings are not optional.
They are critical.
They give structure to chaos.
They clarify expectations.
They uncover patterns that otherwise stay buried.
In places where communication is fractured and accountability is low, skipping meetings is like trying to fix a car without ever opening the hood.
In other words, it could never be business as usual.
🧠 Why Some Managers Think Meetings Are a Waste of Time
- Wishful Thinking: They assume staff will naturally improve with time and casual one-on-ones.
- Blame Avoidance: Meetings might expose gaps in leadership, so they avoid the discomfort.
- Assumed Clarity: They think everyone already knows their role, so there is no need to reinforce it.
- Poor Facilitation Skills: They have never learned how to run a focused, effective meeting.
- Conflict Avoidance: They sidestep tough topics to avoid confrontation.
- Living in La La Land: Chaos feels routine. As long as things are moving, they assume it is fine, even if it is moving in the wrong direction.
👥 Why Employees Often Feel Meetings Are a Waste of Time
- They Lack Substance: Key issues are not discussed, only vague updates and surface talk.
- No Accountability: Decisions are made but never enforced; people still do as they like.
- Normalized Dysfunction: Struggle is expected. “That is just how this place is.”
- Off-Track Discussions: Meetings go off-course because no one leads with focus.
- Passive Participation: They are talked at, not talked with, leaving no room for engagement.
- Living in La La Land: Like their managers, they have stopped expecting real change.
🚀 Why Meetings (When Handled Well) Are a Powerful Tool
Dysfunctional organizations need structure.
Well-run meetings can offer that.
- They reinforce vision and mission: Even 15-minute briefs can remind staff what the organization stands for
- They boost morale: Regular, purposeful check-ins show employees they matter
- They drive collaboration: Meetings create space for co-creating goals and sharing accountability
- They foster reflection: Post-mortems and reviews help teams learn from mistakes
- They prevent miscommunication: Face-to-face talk reduces assumptions and silos
- They create momentum: Clear agendas and follow-through give teams direction
🔚 Final Thought
Meetings do not have to be long or dull.
They do not have to feel like a punishment.
But they do have to be intentional.
If used well, they become a mirror that shows what is working and what is not.
More importantly, they become the engine that moves a struggling organization forward.
Because in the right hands, a meeting is more than a calendar event.
It is a leadership tool.
And if you do not use the tool, do not be surprised when the structure falls apart.